The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which is the largest opposition party in the Maldives, had stated in its manifesto for the September 23 Presidential election, that the Presidential system will be replaced by the Westminster-style parliamentary system, according to Hamid Abdul Ghafoor, International spokesman for the MDP.
Maldives is confident that, as in the past, the September 23 , 2018 Presidential election would be held in a cordial and peaceful environment, a government statement said in response to international anxiety over whether the election will be held and whether it will be free and fair.
Maldivian opposition alliance Presidential candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih would get a full five year time, coalition partner Jumhoory Party (JP) said to rule out early elections. The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) manifesto for the upcoming presidential elections had said that Solih’s government will be an interim coalition government which would pave the way for fresh elections within 18 months iMaldivian opposition alliance Presidential candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih would get a full five year time, coalition partner Jumhoory Party (JP) said to rule out early elections.
The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) manifesto for the upcoming presidential elections had said that Solih’s government will be an interim coalition government which would pave the way for fresh elections within 18 months in which the coalition partners will compete against each other.
With the Presidential election due in a little more than a month, the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) led by President Abdulla Yameen, appears to be stepping up its nationalist rhetoric to contrast with the internationalism of the opposition coalition led by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
The Maldivian opposition coalition backed Presidential candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has assured that the growing ties between Maldives and China will remain intact. Responding to queries on a RaajjeTV program, the opposition presidential stressed the importance of maintaining close ties with foreign ‘partners’, and noted China is a “great ally” that has assisted significantly in the infrastructural and economic development of the island nation.
The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has said that it is seriously concerned that President Abdulla Yameen is laying the groundwork to cancel or postpone the 23 September presidential elections. On Saturday, on his Facebook page, Minister of Defense Adam Shareef Umar claimed he had uncovered a “plot to destabilise the Maldives” and ordered the police and military to be on high alert. The Minister did not make the announcement through the proper ministerial channels, nor did he reveal any evidence of the so-called plot.
The Maldivian military is on high alert after credible reports of an imminent threat to national security, Defense minister Adam Shareef Umar said Saturday. Umar said in a post on his personal Facebook page said the military had received credible reports of an imminent plot to undermine the peace and security of the country.
The Maldives Tourism Ministry on Wednesday has said that over 726,000 tourists had visited the island country till June this year, recording a 10.5 percent growth compared to the same period last year. A total of 93,786 tourists visited during the month of June with China, Germany, Britain, Italy and India being the top five markets. Over 127,000 Chinese tourists have visited the Maldives so far this year. Over 127,000 Chinese tourists have visited the Maldives so far this year, reports Xinhua.
The Maldives is to get a US$40 million (MVR616.8 million) concessional loan from the OPEC Fund for International Development, the government said Monday as a minister took a swipe at the European Union for approving targeted sanctions because of worsening rights in the country. The loan will be used for harbour construction, airport building and setting up sewage systems.
Responding to calls for talks made by the government and the European Union to ensure a free and fair Presidential election due to take place on September 23,this year, the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) said that it is ready for “immediate” talks but under certain specified conditions.