Democrats: Will follow PPM’s counsel in system change vote

Interim chairperson of the Democrats, West Henveiru MP Hassan Latheef, says the party will follow counsel from the PPM-PNC coalition in matters pertaining to the referendum they are seeking to change the system of governance in Maldives.

He made the remark in a post on X on Monday.

His remarks come as the resolution for the referendum of changing the governing system, which was presented by the Democrats, has been presented to EC.

The resolution to hold the referendum to change the governing system before October 30, was passed by the Parliament on the 20th of last month and it was presented to EC on September 21.

PPM-PNC members did not vote when the parliament presented the resolution. However, some MDP members, who hold the majority in Parliament, were in support of the resolution.

The Election Commission has asked Parliament to clarify some issues related to the resolution but, a sitting has not been held yet due to a lack of quorum.

MP Hassan said on X that the Democrats will play a role in President-elect Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s administration. 

Speaking to Sun, Hassan Latheef said that they are holding discussions with Muizzu’s team. He said that what role the Democrats will have in Muizzu’s administration will be finalised after these discussions are concluded.

The exact date to begin the discussions has not yet been set, he said.

PPM and the Democrats’ leaders held discussions just before the presidential elections as well. However, those discussions did not have any positive results and both parties contested the elections independently.

The discussions held to make a coalition between both parties for the second round also did not bear any results.