Solih intends to re-establish November 11 as the presidential inaugural day, says MP Didi

Even though he will be sworn in November 17, President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih intends to end his presidential term on 11th November 2023, says Central-Hithadhoo constituency MP Ibrahim Mohamed Didi.

All presidents except sitting President Abdulla Yameen were sworn in on the 11th November, and some political leaders argue that Solih’s inaugural should be on this day.

However, the parliament has declared that he will be sworn in on November 17, as Yameen took his oath of office on 17th November 2013. Those that argue note that the Constitution states otherwise.

MP Didi told “Mihaaru” that the president-elect had on Sunday said that he wishes to re-establish November 11 as presidential inauguration day, adding that he made the statement during an unofficial discussion regarding the motion being discussed at parliament that day.

The motion to confirm a date for Solih’s inaugural was debated at Sunday’s parliament sitting, with the opposition favoring the earlier date. However, during a committee meeting later that day, the lawmakers were shown the declaration signed by President Yameen, the parliament speaker and the chief justice in 2013, saying the presidential term began on November 17.

During the debate, Solih had stated that he did not wish for “anyone to ever question” whether he was sworn in unconstitutionally.

Issues in the election in 2013, including the annulment of the first round, led to the delay in Yameen taking oath office.