Maldives reigning strongman Abdulla Yameen will have a new challenger in the September Presidential election. The combined opposition has selected Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, parliamentary leader of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) as its nominee.
Known as Ibu, Solih is a veteran parliamentarian having entered Parliament for the first time in 1994. His running mate will be from the Jumhooree Party.
Solih’s plank will be inclusive electoral process. His party is promising to clear the way for all political dissidents to return within 18 months and participate in an inclusive electoral process to join government.
This is a good move since the deposed president Mohamed Nasheed, who has been living in exile abroad since in 2016, stands disqualified from entering the race.
Only last week the Election Commission told Nasheed that the doors were closed for him citing his conviction for a 13-year jail term in what the UN termed as a politically motivated trial.
How far and free will be the September 23 ballot? No one is sure. In fact, there are one too many question marks. Most opponents of President Yameen are either in jail or in exile. So are the dissidents whose number is swelling. How can there be a free poll in such a scenario.
The Indian Ocean archipelago has been witnessing turbulence since February. It all began with Supreme Court’s a shock ruling that had overturned the criminal convictions of Nasheed and eight other dissident leaders. President Yameen promptly clamped a 45-day Emergency, jailed the Chief Justice as also his onetime mentor and former President Gayoom. All this was aimed at averting his impeachment. Shortly afterwards, the remaining judges overturned the CJ’s order.
President Abdulla Yameen has since promised to allow dissidents to return from exile if they win, according to reports from Male quoting local officials.
Yameen is running for a second five-year term.
—-by rama rao