17 October 2008

Gayoom: Midterm Election Would Be “

President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom said on Thursday a midterm election would be a “crime”, in a rapid response to Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) saying Wednesday night that if elected, he would call an election halfway through his five-year term.

“It is a crime. It is against the constitution. The constitution says a president is elected for five years, so the person elected must have that aim,” said Gayoom in a Thursday press conference.

“It is entirely something else to resign due to something they face during the five years, such as becoming ill.

“But saying ‘I will stay for this many years, that many months’, and then give it to someone else before [scheduled] elections is definitely against the constitution. And it is deceiving the people. The people elect someone for five years,” argued Gayoom.

Anni had announced Wednesday night he would call elections midway through his term if he wins in the second round of presidential elections on 28 October.

He said the midterm election would be more free and fair than the current one, given that parliamentary and local elections will have taken place by then.

The campaign of former presidential candidate Dr Hassan Saeed – now backing Anni in the second round of elections – said they had “suggested” the idea to “increase [Anni’s] electoral appeal”. But the government’s Dhivehi Raiyyithunge Party (DRP) reacted angrily to the idea.

Gayoom’s running mate Thasmeen Ali said in an earlier press conference on Thursday, “You campaign, and get elected for a five year term. To do otherwise is irresponsible. People will not buy it.” Saying the move would have “no impact” on the campaign, he added: “It is not a foregone conclusion Anni will win. We are certain we will win this election.”

Saeed had said on Tuesday a vote for Gayoom would in fact be a vote for Gayoom’s brother Abdullah Yameen, recently appointed tourism minister and believed to be a key power broker within government. But Gayoom responded on Thursday, “The presidency of a nation is not something the people give to a person on a tray... It cannot be given to anyone.”

There is no specific provision in the constitution for midterm elections, but elections must be held within 60 days if both president and vice president resign. Gayoom has ruled for 30 years under a one-candidate referendum system. But democratic reforms starting in 2004 paved the way for multi-party elections after the government faced international criticism over human rights abuses.

The Maldives’ first multi-party presidential elections are currently under way, with Gayoom and Anni due to contest in a second round after no candidate won over 50 per cent of the vote in first-round polling on 8 October. Gayoom and Anni were the top two contenders in the first round, with Saeed placing third. All key opposition groups have since united to back Anni in the second round.