I watched the rally held in Addu by the opposition alliance last night. I write to you because I noticed your absence, and because I hope you will soon make it clear to your supporters exactly why you have not been playing an active and public role in this alliance. I write to you because I want to tell you never to make unconditional offers that you are not willing to keep, and that any respect I had for you is gone forever.

Rumour is that Hassan Saeed’s unconditional offer of support to the MDP Itthihaad is as empty of promise as the man himself. Hassan and the New Maldives boys received the 3rd highest number of votes and immediately after the announcement of the official results on 9 October; they made an unconditional offer, supporting the MDP Itthihaad. A couple of days down the line, this unconditional offer has become like one of those lucky draw competitions you find in magazines. “Open the golden ticket and win millions”, but to win the millions call this number, text this number, and thus spend many hundreds in an attempt to get it.” In the end there’s no guarantee you’ve got it, and you’ve already given away more than you thought was fair. This is the case with Hassan Saeed’s unconditional offer to the opposition alliance.

Firstly there was the submissive initiative to get Anni to concede, which would have enabled Hassan to take over, where Hassan Saeed and opposition supporters alike were inundated with SMSs stating that Anni had already stepped down and that Hassan was going to lead the initiative to topple Gayoom. Then there was the shying away from any of the alliance’s public events, because he didn’t want to sit next to Anni and Gasim, as that would destroy his precious integrity. The piece de resistance is the demand for Anni to call for another Presidential election within the first two years of his term if he wins. Anni referred to this in the first opposition meeting at Dharubaaruge on October 13. He said he would never obstruct a call for an election, and that he believed having many elections was one of the strengths of a democratic society, but didnt define exactly what he meant in terms of a time frame.

However, this wasn’t enough for Hassan Saeed and his boys. Lets now meander to the Addu rally tonight. Notice the fair skinned, rosy lipped boy from Addu missing in the front row? That’s right! No Hassan Saeed. Word is, he was in Addu for the meeting, but returned to Male’ because he wasnt satisfied with negotiations. Anni then announced in his speech, that he would never stand in the way of an election, and that he was not there for power, but to bring about change. He would call for midterm elections. Satisfied doctors?

So now the question is, judging by the sound of the crowd, not many of them knew the intricacies behind this announcement, which is why not everyone jumped out of their seats and cheered. Not everyone, even those who voted for Hassan Saeed knew of his demand for a mid term election, and thus people did not know how to react. In fact many Hassan supporters who hear of his demands and behaviour over the last couple of days are disappointed in him, because they have begun to commit themselves to the opposition alliance and the idea of change, while their candidate is still shuffling his feet like a disgruntled child. I think this shows the lack of communication and trust between Hassan and his supporters. No party, no structure, no accountability. Really, have the people been asked whether they want a mid term election? However Dr. Shaheed told Minivan News that their suggestion for mid term elections came about because Anni “wasn’t the first choice for many voters, so the question is how can we increase his appeal?” Shaheed said “reluctant to vote for Anni…in rural areas people are concerned about Anni’s credentials…for example [his] lack of experience in government. We have to seek a way to get those votes for Anni.”

I accept that people were concerned about Anni’s lack of experience, his credentials, but isnt the point of a coalition to complement the issues that are seen to be lacking and to rally behind each other? Not to arouse issues which cause doubt or disunity? Dr. Shaheed’s justifications for their call for a mid term elections make me doubt their willingness to corporate with the alliance and also their committment to bringing about change. It also makes me think that they still cant accept that they came 3rd and not 2nd. Or maybe its their Gadhage Saleems, Mujthabaa, Solah Shihab, Shaveed and etc who cannot comprehend the idea of Anni as a President.

Now personally, academically, I believe that an interim period is necessary for a country in transition from authoritarianism. Issues such as amending the constitution is usually conducted during interim periods. However, we had this chance and we let it go. The first National Unity Alliance was weakened because of the infighting and feuds between the various parties. Now, I don’t see the point in using the first 2 years or so of this first term under a new system as an interim period. We have immediate things to do. The country cannot afford another election. We have two other elections to get through and this country under any government is not going to be able to achieve anything concrete within the next two years. Furthermore, how does it work? I’ve briefly overlooked the working translation of the new constitution and I dont see how its supposed to happen. Does the President and Vice President resign simultaneously, thus leading to an election? Or does the Majlis amend the constitution to allow mid term elections? I’m not a whizz at constitutional legalities. Maybe I should forward this question to Kutti.

I remember Anni saying in a speech last year in a campaign speech preceding the referendum, “mifaharu vote laa laa Maumoon balikolaanee ey” We’ve had the referendum, we’re in the process of the Presidential elections, we still have atoll, local councils and Parliamentary elections to go. Its a lot of voting, a lot of campaigning, a lot of pledges, but when do we get to the governance? The Maldives has to overcome the obstacles put in place by a 30 years dictatorship. We cannot afford to keep fighting between ourselves bi-annually. Whats worse, holding a mid term election, I believe is equal to handing over power back to Maumoon and his cronies. Nothing would have been done, and they will use the fact that they got a lot more done even if it was within 30 long, hard years. DRP will gather its strength and overthrow the opposition before they ever had a chance to develop this nation in the best interests of the people.

Now, here’s the thing. There is only one important issue to face. There is no point in talking of mid- term elections; there is no point in talking about cabinet posts if you are not elected into power. So can all of us please just focus on the issue at hand- defeating Maumoon!
Hassan Saeed, please get in tune with the voice of your supporters, most who voted for you believing you would work for a genuine change. Conditions attached or not, lets see some of that genuineness, hop on the Wathan Edhey Gothah campaign bandwagon immediately, and go give a speech in a rally somewhere. Do whatever it is you did to get that 29,000 something votes in the first round and do it because you owe it to the people who voted for you. The people want a change, if you meant it, help us.

Further reading:
Anni to hold elections halfway through his term- Miadhu Online

I Will Hold A Mid-Term Election: Anni- Minivan News

Working translation of the constitution
Special thanks to a friend who believes in ‘informality’, for help with this post!