Can only contemplate on the presidential elections after the state of emergency is lifted, says former President Mohamed Nasheed.
In an interview to a local news site while in Sri Lanka, the self-exiled former President said that the Joint Opposition has not been thinking about the elections “at all,” adding that they can only do so after the current state of emergency is lifted.
He emphasized that there is no room for a free and fair election, while the country is in a state of emergency.
Noting that his party, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s candidate will be chosen through a primary, Nasheed said that the party does not believe in choosing a candidate at the time being, while things remain “so unclear”.
He added that the most important thing for the country right now is for the government to follow the laws, including the implementation of the Supreme Court ruling issued on 1st February. Furthermore, he said that the government needs to fix the damages to the economy due to the state of emergency, and ensure all political opponents are able to contest in the elections.
The Supreme Court ruling ordered the immediate release of nine political prisoners, including Nasheed. However, incumbent President Abdulla Yameen refused to implement the order, and instead declared a 15-day state of emergency on 5th February. It has since been extended by an additional 30 days, through the parliament, in a vote held without the constitutionally required quorum.
Nasheed, sentenced to 13 years in prison on terror charges, has previously called for the joint opposition to unite behind a single candidate for this year’s presidential elections.
