Qasim: Powers vested in people can only be maintained through a presidential system

Jumhoory Party’s leader, Maamigili MP Qasim Ibrahim has stated that the governing powers currently vested in the people can only be maintained by the existence of a presidential system.

His remark comes at a time Parliament Speaker, Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) leader Mohamed Nasheed has doubled up efforts to change the governing system in the Maldives from the presidential system to a parliamentary system.

In this regard, Nasheed has submitted a resolution to MDP’s congress scheduled for 19^th of this month on holding a constitutional referendum to switch the governing system from a presidential system to a parliamentary system.

Commenting regarding the matter, Qasim underscored that the president and members of the parliament were elected by the direct votes of people in a presidential system. He stressed that the prime minister appointed as head of state in a parliamentary system is not chosen by the people.

The last time a constitutional referendum was held in the Maldives was back in 2007 – during former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom’s administration. Back then, 92 percent of the voters favored a presidential system.