Day: December 14, 2004

Despite calls for free and fair elections without any influence by the government, the Maldives Parliamentary Election 2004 campaign is marred in corruption and irregularities.

Those candidates with Gayyoom’s blessings, have endless resources beginning with access to state owned media, TV, radio and newspapers, and open coffers of treasury funds. Sadly, it does not stop there. These candidates, including ministers and deputy ministers as well as other officials and close associates of Gayyoom, are getting enormous help from private businesses as well. This will obviously play a role in swinging votes their way in the atolls.

DO has information that anti-Gayyoom candidates are unable to get any funding for their campaigns, and some members can’t pay for travelling costs to visit their constituents, let alone meet the production cost of campaign material. There are many private businesses and wealthy Maldivian who want to help these candidates, but their movements and activities are closely monitored by Gayyoom’s cronies and hence these people are scared to help any anti-Gayyoom candidates.

Many able candidates are being hampered by financial difficulties, while ignorant thieves and corrupt people are visiting each island in chartered speedboats and flights. Being corrupt and rich appears to be the way to secure a majlis seat in the Maldives, regardless of the fact that some of these government candidates can barely read and write in Dhivehi or English. How on earth can we entrust people like them to be the law makers of our country?

The dirtiest games in this campaign are played by Gayyoom’s brothers, Abdullah Hameed and Abdullah Yameen. They have openly bribed people to support government candidates, and are authorising the use of public funds as if it is their own money.

In order to counterbalance this, Maldivian businessmen must make a stand and help the reformist candidates who can bring about necessary reforms. Entrepreneurs must realise that long-term business will flourish with an open, transparent and democratic government. All businessmen know they have to conduct their present operations through bribery, deception and other illegal practices.

We call on Maldivians to act responsibly and help reformist candidates in any way they can. It is not against the law to support and help a candidate for the majlis, and if we submit to the illegal demands of this outdated regime, Maldives is destined to remain corrupt and our people oppressed, for years to come.

www.dhivehiobserver.com

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The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) welcomes the Declaration by the Heads of Mission of the European Union accredited to the Maldives on Monday 13th December, calling on the Maldivian government to ensure that the forthcoming Majlis elections are free and fair.

Contradictory to his oft repeated promises to the international community of “substantial reforms”, President Gayoom continues to flagrantly deny the people of the Maldives their fundamental political rights. Gayoom continues to deny the MDP its constitutional right to freedom of association while simultaneously keeping MDP activists and reformists in detention, preventing them from taking an active role in the elections.

Through a process of incarceration and systematic physical and mental torture, Gayoom has intimidated at least 9 members of the constituent assembly from seeking election. This includes two of his former cabinet members, I H Zaki and Dr Munawwar.

Gayoom’s regime continues to violate electoral laws including the intimidation of Atoll Chiefs, Island Chiefs and government servants in the Atolls to ensure the ‘success’ of pro-government candidates. Public funds and resources are openly used to fund government candidates whilst pro-democracy candidates and their supporters are intimidated and labelled as ‘traitors’ and ‘terrorists’.

Just hours after the EU Declaration on Monday, three pro-democracy campaigners, Eva Abdulla (cousin of MDP Councillor Mohamed Nasheed), Jennifer Latheef (daughter of MDP Spokesperson Mohamed Latheef) and Elena Abbas (daughter of MDP Councillor Ahmed Abbas), have been summoned for questioning by Gayoom’s security services.

The MDP calls on the international community to take effective, practical steps to ensure that the political rights of the Maldivian people, including the right to free and fair elections, are upheld by President Gayoom.

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