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Gayyoom obstructed democracy from taking root in Maldives

Dhivehi Observer, 17th July 2004

General Gayyoom has been running a police state in the Maldives since 1978

"The proposition I intend to favour, in electing a President, is to allow more than one candidate to contest in the secret ballot stage by the People’s Majlis. However, I do not believe that direct Presidential election by the people from amongst more than one candidate is a proper method. I believe that allowing direct Presidential election by the people from more than one candidate will disrupt the long existing political and social harmony as well as peace and prosperity amongst the people of the Maldives." Gayyoom proposed in an official letter to the President of the Peoples' Special Majlis on 4th December 1995. (Translation of the letter is published below).

After taking office in 1978, Gayyoom embarked on a long journey of amending the 1968 constitution of the Maldives. A Special Majlis of the People was elected and work on the amendment commenced in 1980. It was in deed a very lengthy time. In his pretext in the printed Dhivehi version of the constitution, Gayyoom claimed that consultations with the public, deliberations and free debate amongst the members of the Majlis, the new constitution was submitted for him to approve on 6th November 1997. It was adopted by Presidential decree signed on 27th November 1997.

After 17 long years of deliberations, the amended constitution which was adopted in 1997 was hailed as a model democratic constitution by Gayyoom. However, in less than 7 years, he stated on 9th June this year in the self acclaimed reform speech that the current constitution needs a number of amendments for Maldives to march into democracy.

Gayyoom, on the self acclaimed speech on the 9th of June, said the proposal he is presenting were proposal he had made on previous occasions and the Majlis had refused to pass them. Of these changes "proposed" by Gayyoom he stressed the issue of direct presidential elections with multiple-candidates as one of his earlier proposals that was "rejected" by the Majlis. Strong evidence has now surfaced that clearly shows that it was not the case.

President (Speaker) of the Majlis is Gayyoom's own brother, Abdullah Hameed has said on the record that he could not sit in the Parliament and not defend the Government; this is seen by many as the one of the key persons who has contributed to the expansion of Gayyoom's rule by fear and intimidation. Legal experts say that his appointment as President or Speaker of the Majlis is unconstitutional as he is also a cabinet Minister

DO has obtained a copy of a letter Gayyoom sent to the his brother President of the Peoples' Special Majlis in December 1995 during the time of the latest amendments to the Maldives constitution shows that Gayyoom has specifically suggested that direct presidential election was not a proper method and might lead to public disunity and will get rid of the traditional social and political harmony amongst the people of the Maldives. [Dhivehi Coy of the Letter]

The truth would have been, it would have allowed the people more choice as to who will be the president of the Maldives. It would have also helped to strengthen the democratic institutions of the Maldives.

This letter is proof that Gayyoom's' only intentions has always been to stay in power at any cost rather than bringing democratic reform by way of a more accountable and transparent form of government. Some of the longest serving members of the Parliament of the Maldives state that most of the proposals for amendments suggested in the 9th June Speech were rejected by none but Gayyoom himself. Amongst this was the proposal of direct elections.

This is clear evidence that Gayyoom is upto something now and cannot be entrusted with any more public service, especially to bring about political reform to the Maldives.

Translation of the Letter sent by Gayyoom to the President of the Special Majlis in 1995

President of the Maldives

To the President of the Peoples' Special Majlis Al-ustaz Abdullah Hameed,

After taking the Presidential Oath on the 11 November 1993 for a new term in office, I made a nation-wide address calling for the need for amendments to the procedure by which Presidential elections are conducted. I cited these proposals to be beneficial steps in order to fortify the democratic process in Maldives. Further to this, I have re-iterated this matter in another address I made on the Republic Day in the present year (1995).

During the period in which Article 34 (presently Article 35) was being drafted, I have given my opinions regarding these Articles to the People’s Special Majlis on the 1 November 1987. In that context, I shall make use of this opportunity to give my opinions on Article 36 of the Constitution of Maldives.

The proposition I intend to favour, in electing a President, is to allow more than one candidate to contest in the secret ballot stage by the People’s Majlis. However, I do not believe that direct Presidential election by the people from amongst more than one candidate is a proper method. I believe that allowing direct Presidential election by the people from more than one candidate will disrupt the long existing political and social harmony as well as peace and prosperity amongst the people of the Maldives.

It is my view that the democratic stature of Maldives can be exceptionally improved by formulating a system in conformity with the suggestions I have outlined above to facilitate multiple candidacies for the office of the President. It is my wish that the esteemed members of the Special Majlis exchange their thoughts and opinions on this matter during the drafting of Article 36 of the Constitution of the Maldives.

4^th December 1995

Yours Sincerely

(signed)

Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom
The President of Maldives

Sent to:
Peoples' Special Majlis
Male'
Maldives