The biggest political euphoria around the country for next several days to come would be the upcoming parliamentary election to be held in February 2009. Unlike the parliamentary elections in the past, it was decided that number of members allocated for each administrative sectors are based on the size of the population limiting a minimum of two from each sector. Therefore, all the constituents in each administrative sector will be a stiff competition as this is the first and ever multiparty election. According to the tentative constituent’s allocation table published by the election commission, there will be more than 72 seats in the upcoming parliament.
There are many reasons why this election is going to be stiff competition. Even if we are a presidential system where powers are separated and independent, the executive branch of the government has to rely on parliament when deciding all major things. Therefore, the executive branch can’t do anything against the will of the parliament. For this reason alone, both ruling party and opposition has to win the maximum number of seat from the Parliament. Recently, the President of Republic of Maldives, H.E Mr. Mohamed Nasheed has promised that his Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) will win minimum of 50 seats in the upcoming parliamentary election.
Given the political situation in the Maldives, It is unlikely to gain the majority of the parliament as it will be really stiff competition. It is very wrong to assume that his/her parties will win this much number of seats and give a public pledge without considering the political situation. HE President Nasheed must know that he became as a president with the help of a united alliance consists of all major political parties except Islamic Democratic Party (IDP). As a consequence of this pledge, the special advisor to the president, Dr. Hassan Saeed has made a very realistic comment about the issue; by giving the majority of the parliament to the ruling party won’t help us to make the government responsible. Further, this government is centered to activists rather than giving high ranking posts to highly qualified and capable professionals.
Parties that are in MDP lead coalition and the opposition are trying to increase their share in the parliament to be seated 1st March 2009. Of course the strength of a party can be measured only with a free and fair election and if not achieve certain number of chairs from the parliament, it would be a huge political blow for such parties. For this reason alone, all the parties are determined to win the maximum number of seats.
The money part:
No election ever in the Maldivian political history has gone without involving big money deals. It is true that with poverty, democracy can’t work. Hence, this election will be no exception. It was reported that some individual has already spent almost over a millions to some communities as aid, soft loans to medium & small businessmen and for medical purposes as well. It is similar like modern day of slavery buying voting rights in the name of humanity. This is absolutely ridiculous and unacceptable. One must not forget that, accepting a bribe will benefit temporarily and the consequences will be immense in the future.
Therefore, I urge all my beloved people to use your voting rights to decide your future but not to decide who gave you the biggest the money deals.
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