Democrats: We are unable to proceed with PPM because they refuse to sign document

The Democrats' interim chairman Hassan Latheef has said that the party's refusal to sign an official document has made it difficult to continue talks with the PPM.

Speaking at a news conference held by the Democrats last night, he said the main thing he proposes to political parties is to propose a systemic vote.

He also proposed amendments to Chapter Four of the Constitution, the President's Chapter.

“We are proposing to hold the said vote on September [this month] 25,” Latheef said regarding the proposal to MDP.

The same issues were submitted to MDP and PPM, he said, adding that the PPM did not want to sign an agreement with them.

“The reason why we are having difficulty talking to PPM anymore is that the PPM does not believe in signing any document and talking to us,” Latheef said.

He said it would be difficult to move forward if the PPM agreed to the Democrats' proposals but did not sign an official document.

He said that is because the people will not accept it and there will be an opportunity to question whether they have agreed or not.

“So there are these difficulties in negotiating with the PPM and us,” he said.

However, he said that the talks have not yet reached the point of signing.

Hassan Latheef said the Democrats do not intend to prolong the talks with the parties. The second round will be held on the 30th of this month and the party will announce its position as soon as possible, he said.

He said the Democrats' main purpose in running for power is to change the system of government to a parliamentary system. That, he said, was what the party’s manifesto and candidate Ilyas Labeeb had been talking about as well.

The Democrats came in third in the first round of the 2023 presidential elections with more than 15,800 votes. Therefore, the decision of the Democrats in the second round of the election will be very important for both the PPM/PNC candidate Dr Mohamed Muizzu and MDP candidate President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.