RaajjeTV to not air MNU's presidential debate, says 'cannot be considered a debate'

RaajjeTV has decided against broadcasting the Maldives National University (MNU)’s presidential debate.

In a tweet posted late Saturday night, the independent broadcaster said that it does not believe that statements by a single candidate can be considered a debate.

Back in July, state’s Public Service Media (PSM) signed with MNU to hold the presidential debates ahead of September’s polls.

While the ruling party’s candidate incumbent President Abdulla Yameen has accepted MNU’s invitation, Joint Opposition’s Ibrahim Mohamed Solih chose to withdraw after initially accepting the invite.

Speaking on Solih’s decision to withdraw, his spokesperson Mariya Didi highlighted that there have not been equal opportunities to campaign, adding that the opposition has faced several obstacles while the ruling party boasts about its use of state resources in campaigning.

Hence, she said that they do not believe that MNU’s debate will be an independent one.

Noting that they had informed MNU that the debate will depend on Solih’s campaign trips, Mariya said that they had told the same thing to RaajjeTV.

RaajjeTV was to hold a presidential debate as well, but altered plans after Yameen rejected the station’s invite. The station is to hold a show instead, called ‘Rayyithunge Dharubaaru’ with Solih on Tuesday, where he will answer questions from the public.