No room for an early election: Gayoom

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has said that there is no room for an early election, and current President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik will remain as President until the end of this term.

Speaking at the ceremony held to inaugurate the campaign hall for Ahmed Shareef who will contest for Thimarafushi seat on PPM ticket, Gayoom said that elections, according to the constitution of Maldives, will be held once in every five years. Also, an additional election can only be held if both the President’s and Vice President’s posts become vacant at the same time.

Gayoom said that following the resignation of former President Mohamed Nasheed, Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik took oath as President of Maldives as specified in the constitution. President Dr Waheed will remain in this post until 10 November 2013, and therefore, from a constitutional perspective, there is no room for an early election.

Gayoom said that a foreign expert who visited Maldives recently also mentioned during a meeting that the constitution does not allow an early election. Gayoom did not disclose the expert’s name or country.

“He said that the constitution does not allow for an early election, and the only way to hold an early election is by amending the constitution. He didn’t think that was possible,” Gayoom said.

The expert also said that no changes should be made to the constitution for at least ten years.

Gayoom said that it would be a positive development for the parliament if Thimarafushi and Kaashidhoo seat are won by coalition parties. It would also assist in resolving the current political crises.

He also said that President Dr Waheed’s government faces serious challenges. More representation of PPM or coalition parties in the parliament is extremely important in order to restore peace and order in the country.

“He [the president] is faced with a situation of extreme turmoil. PPM is part of his government. What we have now is a coalition government. So it is important, for the persistence of this government, that PPM members or coalition members are increased,” Gayoom said.