Its not months but years that have been consumed by the constant politicking in Maldives. What began as a slow, hidden and tortuous process has evolved to become a loud, public display of – occasionally false – affection between the country’s various political actors and the members of the public. At times, it is fake, messy, dirty and downright disappointing. Whereas, at other times, it is inspirational and life changing,. Either way, I can’t seem to keep myself away from it. I am utterly consumed, and thus exhausted both mentally and physically.

This is a fight that started long before I and many of my friends were born. This is a cause that is noble and has resulted in many wounds expressed in the likes of torture, and poverty. Maumoon and his 30 years of rule has created a stagnant society, and this legacy has deemed it difficult to produce dynamic movements for change. However, in light of this, this country has come so far from the days when people were afraid to say Maumoon’s name or even venture the idea of an alternative to this government.

In working to bring about a change, I think we always start out very idealistically. Hoping that we can implement every single liberating idea and principle in the Universal declaration of human rights, or more importantly do it in a democratic and transparent manner. Yet, this is never the case in a situation such as ours. We are a country in transition, and such a transition from an authoritarian regime to democracy takes time and consistent socialisation. People need to learn and accept that conflicts and issues should be solved through independent institutions, through a fair justice system, through a Majlis.

Nobody wants to negotiate with a dictator, nor the people who have worked with them, but unfortunately I have come to experience and understand that in these circumstances there is no other way out. We have to bargain and make political pacts that turn your blood so cold that you just want disappear, and we always justify it in bringing about change. As I understand it, the change we want to bring about, the system we want to implement is like a shiny new toy, which we want to establish in a bright, shiny and clean wrapper. But as it often is the case, we learn about what is right, and what should be through mistakes and that new system never starts out bright and shiny, but rather has to strive to become it.

This process is frustrating and sad. People let you down, not everyone is affected by stories of torture or custodial deaths, not everyone cares. A large proportion are apathetic, others easily bought and some are too drugged up too even stand, let alone think about just governance. Then there are the times when you just have to bite your tongue, and keep your true feelings hidden, to prevent faultlines from appearing in a certain public perception. Its a constant battle of wills. Nevertheless, I suppose it serves to teach us about conflict and how to resolve it without jailing your opposition or beating them into submission. Instead we compromise and bargain to achieve a common purpose. The work goes on slowly, amidst many obstacles and disappointments, but ultimately it succeeds. Well I hope it succeeds. I recognise we’ve come far, and no matter who gets into power, they will have a harder time being dictatorial, but I will personally judge the result of this reform process based on the result of the run off on October 28.

Until then, there are 13 days left till the run off. Its time to reenergise, stop all this ‘mayoosness’, and get on with finishing what so many started out to do. We, the opposition have to drum up every bit of energy and drive in order to make this idea of a Maldives without Maumoon possible.