Nasheed: You can’t deny the people a referendum

No one can deny a referendum for the people to decide on a change in the system of government in Maldives, states Parliament Speaker, former President Mohamed Nasheed.

Nasheed, the leader of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), made the comment in a tweet Thursday afternoon.

Nasheed said it’s the people who will decide what they want.

“And what they want will be found in a referendum,” he said.

Nasheed said the majority of MDP members wanted to take a referendum.

“No one can deny asking the people what they want,” he said.

Nasheed has long been an advocate of a parliamentary system of government in Maldives.

However, all other prominent political leaders have said they are opposed to such a change. Elections Commission said a referendum would cost MVR 100 million.

He has submitted a resolution to MDP’s congress, set to begin Friday, calling for a referendum on changing to a parliamentary system, and for constitutional amendments if the referendum ends in favor of a parliamentary system.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has asked Nasheed to withdraw the resolution.

Nasheed had explained his proposed timeline for the change in system during a press conference Monday, stating that he wanted cooperation from MDP members, as well as the majority of Maldivian people, to make the change.

However, both MDP chairperson and Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail and Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid have publicly stated their opposition to such a change. And all opposition leaders have also publicly declared their support to continuing with a presidential system.