Nasheed to meet Yameen for govt system referendum talks
"The PPM has told The Democrats that they agree with what we are saying. However, they object to signing something," Nasheed said.
By
Ahmed Sadhoof Moosa
Parliament speaker Mohamed Nasheed is scheduled to visit K. Maafushi Prison, where former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has been imprisoned, to discuss a public referendum on changing the country's governance system from presidential to parliamentary.
The message was given by Nasheed while meeting with supporters at the Dhon Manik Sky View Restaurant in the carnival area of Male on Saturday. He was accompanied by Democrats presidential candidate, Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb and his running mate Hussain Amr.
"It is essential to discuss this with President Yameen when making a change in the system of government," Nasheed said.
Nasheed said:
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He has requested the parliament secretariat to make arrangements for him to visit Yameen in prison on Sunday
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The meeting will clarify Yameen’s views on a change in the system of government
“I want to tell President Yameen to bring about a change in the system of government before the 25th, in the way he sees it and if there is any way we can help him,” Nasheed said.
Nasheed said waiting for the MDP to decide is not the solution and a decision should be taken as soon as possible.
Nasheed said he had also discussed the matter with PPM, but the talks with the party came to a halt because the party objected to signing an agreement.
"The PPM has told The Democrats that they agree with what we are saying. However, they object to signing something," Nasheed said.
On the other hand, the best option for the ruling main party MDP and President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih on Saturday is to work with The Democrats to amend the Constitution, Nasheed said.
Nasheed said this while repeatedly saying that President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will not win this election. Nasheed said President Solih is in second place by a huge margin and therefore it is impossible to win this election.
“At the same time, we have now made it very clear to the MDP, and I will repeat, that it is very useful for Maldivians to accept that President Solih cannot win at this time,” Nasheed said.
“It will be useful for the President to accept that and then work with us to amend the Constitution".
Official results of the presidential election on September 9 show main opposition PPM-PNC's Dr Mohamed Muizz leading the polls with 46%, while President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih secured 39%.
