The biggest opposition MDP has said it will be more democratic to let the people of the country decide by their vote if DRP's presidential candidate President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom meets the qualification to be elected for a further term of office. MDP's position was disclosed by the party council member Mohamed Zuhair during an interview he has given to the new TV channel VTV last night. The interviewer told Zuhair there are speculations that MDP has entered in a deal with DRP regarding the eligibility of DRP's presidential candidate party leader President Gayoom.
Zuhair laughed and replied there were no such deals and MDP would never do such a thing. But in regard to the qualification of President Gayoom, or any other candidate it will be better to leave it to the people to decide through their vote rather than MDP making such a demand through the election commission or Supreme Court, he said. Zuhair elaborated if there was a businessman who said he is no longer a businessman, let that decision also be taken by the people during the process of the vote, Zuhair explained.
Zuhair said MDP has been in the vanguard of the reform program and they have structured the party in such a way that party's activities and campaigning will be carried out very efficiently through the party branches. Moreover, they have also carried out vigorous campaigning both in Male' and atolls, visiting people door to door and through promoting their policies and yellow color. He said they have started their campaign since 2004 when the reform activities gained its momentum. Welcoming the 4 October election date Zuhair said they are ever ready for the election.
Zuhair answered the reporter about the number of members who have left the party recently and how much the party has suffered from that by saying, it is true about 500 member’s have left the party recently, but there are more than 1000 new members who have joined the party which is indicating the party is growing in strength and popularity. He said it is the people who will decide in the coming elections the strength of the party.
Contrary to Zuhair's explanation, leading MDP parliamentary group member Reeko Moosa Maniku has blasted the party for turning back in a major cause for which MDP has fearlessly fought many battles nearly winning them, that is to disqualify DRP leader Gayoom through the Supreme Court. Moosa himself has repeatedly warned he would challenge Gayoom in the Supreme Court. Social Liberal Party, SLP presidential candidate Male' member Ibrahim Ismail, Ibra has also vehemently criticized MDP accusing the party of betraying the people by taking side with Gayoom's DRP and giving up their relentless demand to oust Gayoom through constitutional means.
During the People’s Majlis meeting which approved the 5 member election commission last Thursday and at his campaign meetings in Laamu atoll two days ago Ibra has expressed grave concern about appointing an election commission which he said will not be able to perform its important national responsibility in a manner worthy of the high hopes and expectations of MDP and all reform loving people. He said he is very doubtful about holding a fair and free election in such a rush without having sufficient time for the necessary preparations and other process.
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