Democrats accuses Pres Solih of excuses to avoid pres debate like 2018

The Democrats' campaign spokesperson Imthiyaz Fahmy said on Wednesday that President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is making excuses not to participate in the upcoming presidential debate.

Maafannu North MP Imthiyaz held a press conference at the party's office in H. Maizandhoshuge in Male on Wednesday to brief journalists on the campaign activities of The Democrats' presidential candidate Ilyas Labeeb and running mate Hussain Amr Mohmmed Rashad.

Recalling the 2018 presidential election, Imthiyaz said that as the MDP candidate in the presidential debate that year, President Solih acted as he is doing now.

"Again, if you look at the past, you can see that he did the same thing in the 2018 presidential election. So this is worrying," Imthiyaz who was among the 12 MPs who quit MDP in May to found the Democrats, said. 

Imthiyaz said the most important thing in a presidential election is to meet the people and answer their questions through debate.

However, the president is making different excuses for not participating in the debate, he said.

In addition, Imthiyaz added:

Meanwhile, MDP’s campaign spokesperson, defence minister Mariya Ahmed Didi told reporters at her daily press briefing:

"The president is making his words and promises seen and heard on TV. So, I can only say anything directly to that question, [that he will participated in the debate] if there is time in his schedule after meeting with the people. He will give as much time as he can," Mariya said.