by a correspondent
It was
with interest that most of us listened to the latest Khuthubathul Arhshee and some of us are at a loss as
how to digest those sound bites. It is of course reassuring
to hear that the constitution is going to be amended, but
given the ground realities of the Maldives, it is not so
much the motions of amending the constitution that will move
the democratic process forward but the intentions of Gayoom
that will show us light on where we might end up.
In recent months Gayoom has been very
much under pressure from all sides. The international
community and the media; the MDP and many other local
groups, to move towards reforms. Acting under pressure is
not what Gayoom is known for, hence it is very difficult to
believe that the sound bites are any thing more than
rhetoric intended to buy time.
Gayoom can get the special Majlis packed
with his loyalists and supporters with heavy ballot rigging
and intimidations. The recent threats by the commissioner of
elections saying that he believes that certain elements are
acting contrary to the elections regulations, and therefore
will act against them, is a more clear indication of the
make up of the new Special Majlis. Any idiot can read the
elections commissioner’s lips. His point is that Gasim can
not campaign, and more broadly meaning, no one with out the
blessing of Gayoom can have any thoughts about campaigning.
Gasim is of course working for Illyas. It is not only Gasim
that is doing the rounds. Yaamin is also at it, with his
supporters most visibly canvassing for support. Gayoom
perhaps has still some sense and wants to see Yaamin on the
move rather than Ilyas.
Then again this is not the point. The
point being that Gayoom has no intention of giving room for
free and fair elections. He will manipulate that Majlis to
his own liking. The to-be-elected special Majlis is bound to
come out with a document that will erase all possibilities
of pluralistic democracy.
