Leader of Social Liberal Party (SLP) Mazlan Rasheed has stated that Dhivehi Rahyithunge Party (DRP) leader President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom is incapable of taking part in an academic or a political debate. Mazlan made the statement yesterday speaking at news conference held at news room Fansavees.
Mazlan speaking at the news conference said that the impartiality of the forthcoming presidential elections is highly questionable due to various statements and press releases of the ruling party, DRP, which are being published in news papers and media outlets. He said these news releases were a matter of great concern to SLP.
Mazlan went on to say that cancelling the presidential debate just because MDP and DRP did not cooperate, was not fair to candidates of other political parties as it deprived them from revealing their policies and manifesto to the public. He said SLP regards the cancellation as an act depriving the candidates the opportunity to hold debates in an equal footing. He further said the present government will never abide by the laws of the country and that government was incapable of rule of law.
“Government do not want to hold the debate because DRP and MDP is not taking part, but our candidate is more than willing to take in any debate any time, so are other candidates from other parties, I do not believe that DRP or its candidate is capable of taking part in an academic or political debate” Mazlan said.
Hassan Latheef (Hassanko) Deputy Leader of SLP said that although Information Ministry blamed lack of support and cooperation from candidates for the cancellation of the debate it was only DRP and MDP which refused to take part. He said the cancellation thus was aimed at depriving other candidates the opportunity to present their issues and policies and debate in an open manner. He further said this was clear indication of the government’s unwillingness to follow democratic principles.
Hassan Latheef strongly condemned the cancellation or postponement and strongly rejects the excuses given information ministry for the cancellation.
At the news conference held yesterday SLP stated that ongoing voting to elect the Judicial Services Council is not valid and legal and called on the government to immediately stop the election process. SLP said Judicial Services Commission should be elected by a secret ballot as per the new constitution.
“We are calling on the government to immediately stop the voting process, the vote is illegal and against the constitution, that vote has to be a secret vote, we will take what ever steps necessary to prevent the voting” Mazlan said.
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