Nasheed seeks parliamentary referendum in JP deal

MDP president Mohamed Nasheed, who plans to work with the Jumhooree Party (JP) for the upcoming presidential elections, has submitted a number of proposals to JP. Although reports suggest that Nasheed, who serves as the speaker, proposed to extend the current parliamentary term, Atoll Times can confirm that there is no such proposal.

Nasheed's Fikuregge Dhirun faction, which he created after losing MDP's presidential primaries in January to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, began talks with JP last month to work together for the September 9 presidential election.

JP leader and presidential candidate Gasim Ibrahim's spokesman Abdulla Amee  told Atoll Times on Thursday that JP has received a paper containing Nasheed's proposals, but declined to disclose the details.

"Representatives appointed by both sides are engaged in talks on the proposals. As always the case, Gasim Ibrahim will take a decision in a way that puts the interests of the people first and promotes political stability and the future that Maldivians wish for," Ameen, the first health minister of the incumbent government, said.

He said the party's charter and views of the party's organs will be taken into consideration while deciding on the proposals.

Neither JP nor Nasheed's faction has officially disclosed the proposals.

However, reports said that Nasheed had proposed to extend the current term of the parliament to pave way for a change in governance to a parliamentary system from the existing presidential system. However, a JP functionary denied this.

It is learnt that Nasheed's submissions include:

Nasheed had earlier sought a referendum on governance system during the current parliament term. He wanted to start the interim phase of the parliamentary system by electing a prime minister from among the existing members of parliament after extending the term. Nasheed has also spoken about it at various forums.