DRP Leader President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom said the new Constitution gives him the right to contest in the upcoming presidential election.DRP Leader said this at a Celebration get together in DRP's Campaign Hall Thursday night. Gayoom said there are many questions asked from him by the media and others after the ratification of the Constitution. He said there is a question about his eligibility under the new Constitution as he has already served six terms as President. Some say he cannot contest for presidency under the new Constitution, he said.
But DRP Leader said unlike the previous Constitution, the new Constitution gives the right to every Maldivian woman and man to contest in the presidential election, hence those who are saying this have not read the Constitution, Gayoom said.
“See what is there in the article 293, shaviyani, of the Constitution. If they have seen it, they will not say this. Their mouths will be shut. What is so clearly stated in article 293, shaviyani is that the Constitution that was in force from 1 January 1998 will become void after this Constitution is passed and ratified. So today we have abolished the Constitution of 1 January 1998 after a period of 10 years, 7 months and 6 days. What we have begun today is a new Constitution. This Constitution says no one shall hold the office of the President for more than two terms under this Constitution" DRP Leader said.
Gayoom said we are starting a completely new beginning with the new Constitution." From today, anyone, whether he is a person who has been in this post or otherwise, can serve 10 years as President" he said. In this connection former President Ibrahim Nasir too has that right, and anyone has that right for 10 years." Whoever speaks against this wants to mislead the people. They know if this man contests, he will win" Leader Gayoom said.
Speaking at the meeting Gayooms running mate Ahmed Thasmeen said the new Constitution ratified yesterday will be the cornerstone of the reform agenda initiated by President Gayoom. ”During the deliberation of the Constitution in the Majlis, different stories were spread, There was the story DRP with its majority will not be allowed to make a Constitution embodying the principles of a liberal democracy which we have heard so many times. But today with the Grace of Almighty Allah, it has been proved that was not true" Thasmeen said.
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