Presidential election will be held this year: Nasheed

Former President Mohamed Nasheed said last night that he is making all efforts necessary to hold an early election, and that a presidential election will be held before the end of the year.

Speaking at Usfasgandu last night after his trip to New Zealand to participate in the International Democratic Union meeting, Nasheed expressed confidence that an early election will be held soon.

“I am certain and sure that that election will be held soon. We will hold an early election before the end of 2012,” Nasheed said.

He said that a government formed by force and brutality is not a people’s government, and that he will oust this government. He said that MDP is ready to confront the government which had come to power through a ‘coup’.

“It should now be clear to those who came to power through a coup that we are fully prepared to confront you… We know clearly that it is not a people’s government. It was formed by force. We won’t just stand and watch and obey. We will take to the streets to oust this government. You can’t arrest me. You will be arrested way before I am, you will back down way before I do,” Nasheed said.

Referring to Police efforts to dismantle Usfasgandu, Nasheed said, “Usfasgandu cannot be snatched from us. Their brutal hopes will never become reality.”

Nasheed said that deploying armed forces to the streets will not scare MDP to give up, and that he will continue to protest until the current government comes to an end.