Previous govts carried projects for elections: President

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said on Thursday that a look at the work done by previous governments shows that they had prepared for the upcoming elections every five years.

The president made the remarks while speaking at the inauguration ceremony of a new office building set up by Fenaka Corporation in Th. Hirilandhoo island.

"The next election, whether it is a presidential election, have to do what is necessary to win that election. That's what governments have been doing in the past," he said.

"The result is that the Maldives has not developed in ratio compared to the revenue generated."

The president, however, said he had a "different view" on the issue. This government is planning and executing its activities, he said, not necessarily considering the upcoming presidential or parliamentary elections as the most important issues.

It is up to the people to decide whether to go ahead with the work that this government has started with the vision of developing the country and providing services to the people, or whether there will be a slowdown in these activities, he said.

Among the initiatives taken by the government, the President highlighted the efforts made by the government to provide electricity to all the islands.

"So far, we have got electricity, but in some islands it has become a huge pain for the people," he said, pointing out that the poor quality of the service has resulted in damage to high-end items and causing huge inconvenience.

He, however, said Fenaka's work across the country was "with a long-range consideration" and was being planned so that services could be delivered without much change even after 50 years.

He thanked ministries, companies and the parliament for their support in this endeavour.

Pointing out that Hirilandhoo is a hardworking island, he said when he visited the island for the 2018 election campaign, the fibre work area and the fish harvesting site were the same.

"This is a place that no government has seen in all these eras. How can the fibre work be done right next door to the place where the fish is harvested? What should be our response?," he said.

Without naming the then President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, who contested against President Solih in the last presidential elections, he said the government had not been able to identify it either.

But the present government has fulfilled many of the promises made to the islanders, he said. He said the satisfaction was visible from the people today.