The president of the Republic, His Excellency Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom, said that that the constituency did not allow any foreign advice for a free and fair election and does not subject any attendance during election. He said this during a news conference to announce a date for ratifying the constitution. He made the statement amid the criticism he is facing by the opposition rivals due to the delay of constitution ratification.
The president said that the election to be free and fair did not compulsory for any observation and “‘if’ the people of the country are well matured and ‘if’ we have our rules and regulations in place we will have a free and fair election.” The president said. He said foreigners are only to observer but not to comment and they are not supposed to come here to say “do this and do that”.
Presidents comment seems to have given under pressure and with frustration as he said that the adversary required for the election from foreign expertise were already done. He said that the elections commission already has employed an expert for the purpose.
Defending his status in office the president said that the previous elections held in the country was free and fair and that SAARC observers and other foreign observer reports is proof that (all roads lead to Rome) the elections were fair. But the rival political parties and many countrymen doubt that the elections held earlier are free.
The president blasting his anger was speaking as the rivals had been talking of European Union observers showing lack of interest due to the delay of the constitution ratification process. The president said that though EU or others loose the interest the Common Wealth and SAARC would be there.
The president had indicated that he is ‘thinking’ to ratify the constitution on 8 of the following month.
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