MDP calls for early polls fearing that they might lose their support- MP Nasheed

Member of Parliament for Kulhudhuffushi North constituency, Mohamed Nasheed has said that MDP is calling for early elections because they fear that they might lose their support if the new government exposes ex-President Mohamed Nasheed’s abuse of executive powers, obstruction of justice, contempt and lockdown of the Legislature and Judiciary, corruption, graft and nepotism.

Talking on the DHItv “In News’ program last night, attorney Mohamed Nasheed said that while MDP continue to demand an election calling Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan’s Administration a revolutionary government, their (MDP) action and what they talk are not consistent with each other. Attorney Nasheed said that the issue which they are apprehensive about and the solution they propose do not relate.

Attroney Nasheed continued to say, “If it was a coup d’état, if some people had grabbled power unconstitutionally, if there is a belief that the Vice President instated himself unconstitutionally – then the solution is not an election. There need not be talk of an election. An investigation has to be conducted immediately. An investigation has to be conducted to determine if the government was brought in by means of a coup, if power was forcefully seized, if it was done through means of threat.” 

He went on to say that if an investigation proves President Waheed came to power by means of a coup d’état former President Nasheed automatically gets back his position. If it is proved that Dr. Waheeds instating is constitutional, he would continue his term until the election in 2013. 

“Under either of these circumstances there will not be an election. If there is talk of an election, it means there was no coup d’état. There was no forceful seizure of power. How can a constitutionally instated person resign and call for an election? A leader who is in power unconstitutionally is not even holding a position, is he? How can light and darkness come together in one place? Wouldn’t darkness leave when light arrives? While there is light and darkness sets in wouldn’t light depart?”, Nasheed said.

He continued to say that an investigation into the incident is very necessary and that it is of importance to know the things that went wrong and the reasons for the change of Presidency.

In Nasheed’s words, “It (investigation) must necessarily be conducted by people with social integrity and conducted in a reliable way. It must be a professional process too. Now at a time when international focus is concentrated on the Maldives, my personal belief is, it will be most beneficial to all concerned to conduct such an investigation with the assistance and co-operation of the international community.”