Malé, Maldives – Speaking on his most recent campaign hold a constitutional referendum to change the political system of the Maldives from Presidential to Parliamentary, President of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed has said that talks of the referendum does not concern President Solih and that it is best that he stay out of it.
Nasheed, who has been receiving little support from his own party on his endeavour to make Maldives a Parliamentary system, said this last night during ongoing discussion sessions at the MDP office lead by him at the presence of a handful who attended the discussion.
In detail, Nasheed said that it is sad and that the President need not concern himself with such systematic talks, adding that this in fact, is not something that concerns the President at all.
Going on, he also said that wise leaders will not get themselves into such votes and that the President does not need to announce which side he supports. “The referendum will be held one day. Do not doubt this at all!” Nasheed said.
He went on to say that the referendum campaign will not stop and “sincerely” asked the President not to challenge the people.
Referencing on the downfall of former President Maumoon Abdul Qayyoom’s regime, Nasheed said that the one thing politicians must not do is weigh on the number people and say that they are a few. He explained that even when it was said that those against Maumoon were a few, the votes proved otherwise.
This comes at a time when Nasheed has submitted a resolution to MDP to move forward with the constitutional referendum, which will be called to a vote during the party’s congress scheduled to commence today. President Solih opposes the notion of such a referendum and has called on Nasheed to withdraw the decree.
In a tweet, Nasheed indirectly responded to the President’s statement, saying that only the people will know what they want and that it can only be known through a referendum.
Apart from President Solih, multiple other political figures of the country, including former Presidents, Ministers and opposition leaders have expressed their opposition to a referendum at this time.
