Shainee describes AG's call for equal treatment of candidates as 'excellent and sincere'

Fisheries Minister and chair of all-party-talks, Dr. Mohamed Shainee has applauded the attorney general’s call to ensure ‘equal treatment in matters relating to presidential elections’.

Four days after AG Mohamed Anil released a statement revealing his decision, Shainee tweeted that this is an ‘excellent and sincere step for a smooth, free, fair and transparent’ presidential elections.

“Call on all political parties to show good faith for a peaceful and stable nation,” added the minister.

Shainee was also one of the very first government officials to welcome both the presidential candidate and running mate nominated by the opposition coalition, and took the opportunity to reiterate call for all-party-talks.

Last Wednesday, the attorney general had informed all relevant institutions to give ‘all candidates equal opportunity in accessing state resources as per the relevant laws, and to ensure equal treatment in matters relating to the presidential elections’ even prior to the Elections Commission (EC)’s official announcement of the presidential elections candidates.

The statement said that Anil had sent letters to the relevant institutions, urging them ‘to take all necessary measures to ensure that electoral candidates put forth by their respective political parties, along with candidates proposed to serve and undertake the responsibilities of vice president, are afforded equal protection by the state entities on the state’s expense, equal opportunity to access state resources in conducting their campaigns, equal opportunity to use roads, public places, state buildings and lands as per the relevant laws’.

He further called on state broadcaster Public Service Media (PSM) to give all presidential candidates ‘equal opportunity in allowing airtime from its broadcasting agencies’.

There are currently two parties campaigning for the long-awaited presidential election slated for 23rd September.

Ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)'s presidential candidate for this year's election is incumbent President Abdulla Yameen, who has chosen former Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed as his running mate.

Opposition parties have decided to field a common presidential ticket; a candidate from Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) with a Jumhooree Party running mate. MDP has nominated its parliamentary group leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih as the candidate with MP Faisal Naseem has running mate.

The attorney general’s call came a day after two attempted attacks on Solih, as his was conducting door-to-door campaign activities in the capital’s suburban district Hulhumalé.