Main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) wishes for outgoing President Abdulla Yameen to attend President-elect’s inauguration ceremony on the 17th of November, says party Chairperson Hassan Latheef.
Latheef said that former Presidents will be invited to Solih’s oath-taking and that it is good etiquette that Yameen honor the ceremony with his presence. The Chairperson further stated that although former President and leader of MDP, Mohamed Nasheed lost his bid for Presidency in the 2013 election, he was invited to the inauguration of President Yameen back then.
“MDP wishes to see President Yameen attend the swearing-in ceremony. Surely, MDP as well as the nation will want President Yameen to join such a significant ceremony. His losing the election is a completely different matter. The good etiquette is for the outgoing President to join the incoming President’s oath-taking ceremony. We saw this being followed after the 2013 Presidential Election as well” said Latheef.
President-elect Solih led the September polls with 134،705 votes while President Yameen followed behind with 96،052 votes.
Although President Yameen had initially conceded defeat, after the final results were announced by the Elections Commission, he had filed a constitutional case at the Supreme Court, seeking to nullify the election result. However, the court had issued that the result is valid and will not be nullified.
