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Why we need party system in Maldives

OPINION By "alias" - Monday, June 21, 2004

Is anyone doing anything to counter the efforts of the GDP (Gayyoom's Dictatorial Party) to get people to write individual letters and petitions against the proposed multi-party frame work for the country?

Is it illegal for more than one person to sign a document or declaration in the Maldives?

I used to believe that multi-party reform would create hatred and animosity between people and cause strife and instability. At that time I believed quite strongly that it is best for Maldives to have no party system.....only individual candidates for presidency etc.

However my opinion has changed over the years. I was once a very strong supporter and advocate of the "No Political Party" movement. I have had a complete and full reversal in opinion since then and now whole-heartedly and vigorously campaign for a multi party approach.

My advocacy and activities are not targeting any single political party or candidate. Have not had the pleasure of associating myself and my support for any party. I will eventually, but I just haven't so far.

I want a party system for more obvious reasons.

If there is only individual personalities campaigning for and getting elected for presidency and running of a country then either that person will have authoritarian powers or be completely powerless and ineffective.

However, if political parties (with several individuals of different socio-economic status, educational background, administrative and managerial skills...etc) operate then the decisions would not be made on an individual basis. The decision will have to be made by consultation with other members of the party who may have very differing views. In addition these decisions can be influenced by "opposition" parties. The opposition parties (whom I like to call "the non-governing" party) can influence decisions by proposing their proposals openly and getting the public to weigh in the pros and cons of the different proposals by the different parties.

Let me use an example here. Lets say that Fisherman's Party (the party in government) proposes to alleviate the housing shortages in Male' by reclaiming an island to the south of Male' (Hedhimale'). This idea is floated by the Fisherman's Party. The Anhenunge Party also notes that the housing shortage is a big problem that needs addressing. However they claim that it is not financially feasible to create a second artificial island at this point in time. They propose that making high rise apartment complexes in the phase 2 of Hulhumale' and Villingili development projects would be more financially sound and profitable way to solve the problem. The public get these proposals explained to them by the two parties through the media and in conferences and workshops. The informed public then can make a better decision. The Fisherman's Party government after consultations with the Anhenunge Party comes up with a decision that the Hedhimale' project would be less beneficial to the country than the modified phase2 development project for Hulhumale' and Villingili.

By these and other competitive ways the different parties can show the people which party is making the best proposals and plans for the country. The decision of who is best is made by the people.

It is true that most countries where party systems were introduced after a long period of authoritarian rule, there were several small new parties that came up. This is expected. And it doesn't hurt the democratic process. Over the next few years the non-viable parties stop functioning and become abolished. The ones that are left are those that are based on more solid principles with good human infrastructure.

Will having more parties cause division within the country? It may. But these divisions need not necessarily be negative influences. If all the parties are working towards a better Maldives... and each one had the interest of the country over and above their personal and party interests than these divisions may do more good than harm.

Having the "opposition party" or parties will also be a regulatory mechanism on the work and functioning of the party in government against corruption and inefficiency. They could elevate the potential of the governing party because of the positive influence of the "opposition party".

However the "opposition party" could do harm if it spends all its efforts on coming to power by smear campaigns etc. This is the fear that I have. The smear campaign against parties have already begun and the evidence is clear even in this forum. It is possible to expose weaknesses in one party without hurting the individuals in the party or the image of the party. But we are born and bred in this environment where the only way to succeed apparently is to get the others to fail. Many don't try to raise themselves above the potential and capacity of others. It becomes easier and more efficient way of gaining power when you destroy the competition.

We will not be the first country to transition from an authoritarian regime to a potentially more democratic country. There have been others in the past. Let us learn form their transitions. Let us not make the mistakes that they made.

There are several countries which have good legal frame work for the functioning of political parties and constitutional allowances for these functions of the parties. We can certainly learn from them.

I am not proposing, and never have, that we adopt the American political system. It may not be suited for us. Not at this stage. We haven't arrived at the socio-economic juncture where we can have a system like theirs.

Democracy and multi party system can be a double edged sword. It has the potential to do a lot of good. But if not embarked on a planed transition it can be the devil in disguise.

We need a more pluralistic political system in the Maldives. There is no question about that.

We need to make plans for that day to prevent that day from becoming the day we regret the change.

We need to plan for this day individually and collectively. The political movements in the Maldives need to make themselves ready for this transition and make good plans for that day.

The day is not far. It may just be much nearer than we initially anticipated.