1)    Ban spitting on the streets or fine people for doing it. Its one of the most disgusting sounds in the world, when you’re walking down the road and you hear the person behind you or in front of you clearing his throat, getting ready to shoot out that wad of spit directly in the path you’re walking. Stop stop stop. It worked in Republican China in the early 1900s!

2)    Stop using your car/motorcycle/pickup horns unless in an emergency. It’s a small island, if a pickup has stopped to unload goods, there’s really not much we can do about it. Its not like there’s space on the road for it to actually park at a side. Or at least give it 5 minutes before your start banging on that horn.

3)    Do something about racist Neanderthal like Maldivians, who take pleasure in picking on expatriate workers. Yes there’s too many of them, but why not remember that while you’re complaining about them, they are the ones who keep the streets clean, build houses, and basically do the work of the Male’ municipality.

4)    A proper bookshop, maybe where you can see the sea. Salt cant be good for the books, but the view would be spectacular.

5)    Clean up track, so people can swim there without the fear of possibly growing an extra nose on their foot from the trash that’s in the water.

I’m still thinking… please add more of your own

I’m still in shock. Today has been the happiest, most incredible and very surreal day in my life. People have toiled for years to bring him down, sacrificing lives, times with their children, privacy, subjecting themselves to public ridicule and state sanctioned abuse, and its been 30 long years, but on the 28 of October 2008, the people have dealt Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the final blow. Goodbye Maumoon, and here’s hoping that with you go torture, corruption and fear.

Anni once said in a campaign speech last year while campaigning for the barulamaanee system, “mifaharu vote laa laa laa Maumoon baalaanee ey”. Yesterday, or the last couple of weeks the Maldivian people have done just that. We wore him down in the first round by reducing his usual 90% majorities to 40%, and then we served him his leaving papers in the run off by gaining 54% of the vote. A combination of years of silent opposition, torture, custodial deaths, street demonstrations, internal and external pressures have led to the culmination of the reform process, the country’s first multiparty election, resulting in the defeat of the incumbent. Maumoon, the people have finally been given a chance to speak, and the majority have chosen to serve themselves and their families instead of you and yours. Here’s looking forward to the Aneh Dhivehi Raaje, headed by President Elect Mohamed Nasheed (Anni), Dr. Waheed and the opposition alliance.

Once the results started coming in, a consistent trend could be seen, the 54-45% gap between Anni and Maumoon remained a standard throughout the night. However, we thought, no this cant be, we cant start celebrating this early. Its Maumoon! Who knows what he’s going to do now? We had our torches at the ready near the ballot boxes in case the electricity was cut, we were careful on the streets, not daring to even jest at a DRP supporter, in case of provoking unrest leading to some sort of emergceny power act by Maumoon to ‘preserve the peace’. This is what 30 years of authoritarian rule does even in the face of mathematical statistics. Conspiracy stories were heard all over Male’. “Maumoon has left the country, no Yameen has!” “Lets check Singapore Airlines” “They’ve chartered a 50 seater Island Aviation plane” “They’ve blocked the road near Atholhuvehi, cars keep going in and out of Theemuge” “What do you think he has planned? “ Turns out, nothing!

Unbelievably the election went off remarkably quietly, except of course for the guy who tried to vote three times! No knifings, no military coups, nothing. You’d think that would make us rest easy, but no. The atmosphere was too quiet, naamaan. We were waiting for something to happen. Then came 5am, TVM had announced over 85% of the preliminary results and there was no way back for Maumoon. Haruge erupted with every announcement of the result which was in our favour. They then rushed to the mosque to perform a prayer of thanks. We then all headed out to Raalhugandu, to watch the sun rise on the Aneh Dhivehi Raaje.

It was a sight and an atmosphere that was enough to cause anyone to be dizzy with happiness. Shaking hands, hugging, crying, laughing and always smiling. It was a morning of wonder. Yesterday morning, it didn’t matter if we didn’t all agree on the same candidate in the first round, all that mattered was that Maumoon was out. We did it. The uniting of the opposition in the 2nd round is something I begrudgingly accepted, but I always understood that we needed everyone to make it happen, and it was a result of everyone, each in their own ways that we achieved what we once thought was the impossible. I would even go so far as to say that this victory may not have been as meaningful had it happened in the first round, if it had just been about the MDP and Anni. Of course us MDP supporters would have been thrilled, but this result today with a combined opposition meant an extra bit more, because it symbolised a bringing together of a nation. I know 54% isn’t a landslide, but it sure felt like it. It was a beautiful morning, where personal animosities, petty or significant were put aside for the sake of enjoying this great historical moment.

The day become even more surreal, with lack of sleep, exhaustion and adrenaline pumping through our bodies, Maldivian witnessed a new President addressing the nation first time on national TV. Anni and Maumoon giving a joint press conference at the President’s Office was the next high mark. It was a day of overwhelming moments. Who would have ever thought, Anni from the kuda golhi to behind the Presidential podium? I am proud of Anni for everything he has done. Today, he was truly Presidential, or Presidential in the sense this country needs him to be, with his magnanimous approach to Maumoon and the DRP. Some maybe surprised, but Anni has always maintained this thought.

He has not believed in revenge or retribution even against the people who fed him food mixed with crushed glass, but has always looked to move forwards. This is not something I have always agreed with. Maybe its too clinical or too by the book, or maybe I’m not that strong in character, I have always believed that people who have perpetrated crimes should be punished. Those who tortured should be brought to trial. These are issues which all transitional states go through. Some set up Truth and Reconciliation committees. Others just create a clean slate by providing amnesties, and others go on an all out witch hunt. There’s no one right path. It depends on the gravity of the situation. Personally, I think torture wasn’t as widespread in the country to convince people to support taking legal action against Maumoon. Adam Zahir ofcourse is a different matter. Most people in this country care about their social and economic right rather than their civil and political ones, and spending state resources on a trial on Maumoon now would be considered a waste by some. So a state driven legal case against Maumoon is I’m sure not going to happen.

In fact, on the subject of retribution. Once you eat, sleep, drink and breathe the idea of defeating Maumoon for years, when it happens its like an enormous weight gets lifted off your chest. It becomes easier to take in that full breath, you can walk past Theemuge without wanting to hiss at the gate, and you can give someone on the street a genuine smile even if they may not be a member of your Party. Now during the campaign season, when we fantasized about the possibilities of winning, there were wish lists that were made, names of people in the DRP to call and swear at. Ali Waheed and Mundood were I’m sure on many peoples’ lists. However Anni’s appeal, kaamiyaabuga hih thirikuraashey adhi bali vaa vaguthuthakugaa hih varu kuraashey (be humble in victory and maintain strength in defeat) touched a nerve. Yes things are peaceful at the moment, but maybe only because so far everyone is being relatively civil to each other. People are not outside provoking those who lost, they are not having in your face loud celebrations. I thought I would want to gloat in the face of those who lost, but suddenly with the win, you’re overcome with a sense of deep elation that leaves you too satisfied and too exhausted to want to waste your time, energy and sense of satisfaction by screaming filth at someone. We won, that itself is now more than enough. As difficult as it is to believe that Yameen and Co. are going to let this go so easily, lets hope things continue in peace till the inauguration on the 11th. There are bigger and better things to get on with it, like running the country, as it should be run, to bring about the Aneh Dhivehi Raaje that we have been anticipating for so long.

Winning the government was a challenge, but running it will be an even greater one. There is a lot of expectation on Anni and his team to deliver. People expect change to happen quickly and dramatically, and it may not happen. This country has a 30 year legacy which will hard to shift, and it is going to take a continued united effort. Congratulations Anni! Congratulations to the People of the Maldives. We have made history.

Ps: for those bored with the lack of campaign excitement, lets turn our support to Obama in the last week of the US elections. Or start getting ready for the Majlis, atolls and local council elections coming up in a couple of months.

International media outlets have a consistent line when describing the Maldives. It is always the case of contrasting Maldives the exclusive tourist getaway with Maldives the fishing village . An article in the Economist on 19 December 2006 described it “as the shadowy creation of the two separate Maldives.” We are the state that Maumoon and his government take praise in being one of the most developed nations in South Asia, while on the other hand the opposition highlight the 21% who are in poverty, the rising drug problem and the myriad of other social issues derived from central problems such as the congested housing system. Male’ vs. the atolls, western tourist paradise vs. Islamic state, ‘aa usminthah vs. aneh Dhivehi raaje. We are a country of contrasts. Nevertheless during the reform process, which took place over the last couple of years, the effort was made by the opposition to bring attention to the fact that such inequality or such gaps between societal groups in the country should not be in place. The opposition did succeed in this endeavor and that is evident in the result of the 1st round, where 60% of the voters decided against a Maumoon centred Wathan.

However, there is still that elusive 40%. Now I’m not saying that we can or even that we should get everybody to agree on one thing, but 40% is about 25% more than Maumoon deserves. Those who are vehemently against Maumoon, will never understand why any rational person outside his inner circle of cronies would support him. In fact, we still don’t get it. We didn’t know where he could get all those people to vote for him. One of my cousins quipped that maybe the 40% were the actual “Aneh Dhivehi Raaje”. Sacrilegious to any MDP supporter, but good joke all the same.

Wathan Edhenee Maumoon

40% of the vote went to an individual who has already been in power for 30 years. Why? Apart from bribes and certain loyalties, fear is a driving force of support for Maumon and the DRP. 30 years of dictatorship sucks the soul out of a society. It results in apathy, insecurity and the preeminence of the short-term gain over the long-term benefit. So why not accept that 500 Rf note in exchange for your vote? Why not let Maumoon pay my electricity, phone and food bills even if me and my family still live in a make shift tent? What is the point of freedom of assembly, expression and a right to a fair trial if I don’t have my government job? They’re valid points aren’t they, for those who cannot afford to stand up for such rights?

Except there’s no logic to the demographic that supported Maumoon, or Anni. Its not necessarily the rich or raajetherey meehun who voted for Maumoon and the people from Male’, Addu and the poor who voted for Anni and the opposition. Yet, you see DRP’s campaign constantly justifying people who support the MDP as those who want to give room to Christianity, drugs and unrest in the country. It is as if they speak of a people very different to themselves, a different wathan?

There is no rhyme and reason to the way people voted in our election. Going door to door, you’d notice tiny houses falling apart, bursting at the seams because of the multitudes of bodies and things stuffed inside, but covered with posters of Maumoon, ironically calling for an ‘aa usminthah’. Then next door you’d notice in the usminthah, a very well off family, living in a multi storey house fully supporting Maumoon.
What makes these people believe that Maumoon will give them a better life in the next five years, when he has refused to do it in the last 30? Is it really the fear of Christian missionaries? You hear people claiming that Maumoon’s support base was mostly made up of women, those who were elderly and those who love his soft hands. Are these the screaming banshee like women who dance their support for Maumoon?

30 years of one man. 25 of these years consisted of this one man, with one idea and no alternative voices. Its ingrained into people. Benedict Anderson talked about nations as imagined communities, formed through the dissemination of print and industrial capitalism. Surely, if a populace is restricted from alternative print, literature and an alternative voice except that of the hegemon, as is the case in most authoritarian societies, it can be considered a nation/wathan by itself, as pathetic as it is. Ours formed through the monopoly of TVM, haveeru, miadhu, and aafathis.

Thus, the name, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom becomes synonymous with the title Raisul Jumhooriyyaa. Combined with this cultural idea of respecting your leaders and elders, insecure about your livelihoods, why would anybody rock the boat and turn away from Maumoon?

Wathan Edhey Gothah- Badhalakah

60% of the voters acknowledged they wanted change in the first round, albeit the splitting of this vote between the opposition candidates. Can we draw on specific qualities to characterize this 60% apart from their opposition to Maumoon? You hear many reasons why people begin turning away from Maumoon- Evan Naseem’s death at the hands of the state, the increasing social crimes, rising drug abuse, civil rights. Could it be that this imagined community for change was formed because of the dissemination of opposition print and media? I might be taking the Anderson theory a little too far, but really think about the impact Sangu, Hukuru, Sandhaanu, DO, Minivan, Adduvas, had on the consolidation of an opposition presence in this country.

They are not all victims of torture, nor are they all living in crowded housing, sleeping in shifts. Some would have voted out of family or other loyalties, others because they believed there is more material benefit for them in a government run by the opposition. Nevertheless, the essence of this 60% is the fact they recognize that there is no hope for this country under the continued leadership of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. There is the underlining belief that we need to take a risk for change.

Ultimately the difference between us and them, is “Maumoon edhey gothah Wathan” vs. “Wathan Edhey Gotha.” We don’t need to be stabbing each other in the back. Its not material nor physical boundaries separating the two support bases, but a dictatorial legacy. Lets not be dictated to any longer, vote for change. Vote Mohamed Nasheed (Anni).

I’m not the most pious of Muslims, but I have never doubted the existence of God. My boyfriend, however often accuses me of being extremely irrational because I refuse to get into arguments or debates about Islam with him. Maybe it’s a cultural thing, or maybe I’ve taken the fearing aspect of the God fearing issue too much to heart. It may be superficial to not doubt anything in words and yet do it unwillingly by not performing certain required acts, but that unquestioned base respect seems to be deeply ingrained in me.

Religion, although not shoved down my or my family’s throat, has always been significant, as I’m sure is the case for most Maldivians. In the Maldives, Islam is a constant. Passing the boundaries of doctrine, it is also a cultural and social entity that surrounds our every day movements. We have been known as a country of moderate Islam, and yet the debates on religion in the current political environment diverge from one extreme to another. Religion is a political weapon of immense power and proportions, and lately the central focus of the pros and cons between Anni and Maumoon have been exactly that, the future of Islam in the Maldives.

Initially, this issue arose because of anti campaigns that were launched against the opposition, which have been ongoing for over 4 years. Any opposition is labelled as individuals or organisations against Islam. This would be Maumoon’s Islam, the version he has defined as the moderate Islam of the Maldives. Hence, the opposition can be Christian missionaries, Jewish sympathisers or Wahaabees, take your pick. Actually, Maumoon, Ali Waheed and Co. will do it for you.
Now, ours is a country where the constitution clearly stipulates in Article 10 that Islam is the religion of the country and that all citizens are required to be Muslims. Thus, trying to obstruct the place of Islam in the country is unconstitutional. So, logically, you would think that anyone contesting for the Presidency would be aware of this fact and not try to bring in another religion. Dear citizens, or dear 40% it cant even be that easy to do.

Then there’s the question of “ageedha”. Arent peoples’ ageedhas strong enough to resist a ‘covert conversion to Christianity?’ Or is the ageedha strictly limited to the symbols- buruga, closing shops for bangi or reciting an elaborate solawath? Surely the appearance of a buruga cannot be claimed as being very religious. After all the buruga is usually accompanied with super tight skinny jeans, high heels and a whole lot of makeup. Not that there’s anything wrong with this combination. After all you can never judge the intensity of a person’s faith by their outward appearance. It will always let you down.
Actually, this is what annoys me about the politicization of this religious debate. It diverges into such extreme camps, making you pick sides which don’t really fit into your beliefs. For instance, last night the DRP held a show (I cant call it a rally, it really was a show) which was unbearable to watch. Season, Niuma and the rest of the DRP’s gang of actors and singers performed for about three hours, dancing, singing and gyrating in skin tight, glittery outfits to their adoring fans in blue. This spectacle was interrupted by Maumoon, where he gave a speech on religion and how he has been the man who has strengthened Islam in this country. He recounted how he travelled to many Islamic nations to seek funding, in order to build the Islamee Marukaz. He also then accused the opposition of having links with Christian missionary groups. It was your typical, DRP attack at the opposition, but what made tonight special was that the hypocrisy of Maumoon’s words were given special illumination by the acts that were put on before and after his speech.

Now don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with singing or dancing, in fact if I could carry a tune, I would be out there doing it, but for Maumoon to claim that the opposition will destroy Islam in this country, after that spectacle was laughable. Well it was to the opposition. I’m not quite sure the same goes for the 40% who voted for Maumoon. Sometimes it feels like the nature of the opposition or MDP’s Aneh Dhivehi Raaje campaign was too clean. The policies, pledges, and press conferences did not gain precedence over the shaking and twisting bodies of Suneeta and Niuma. Maybe we should have wrapped the policy papers around their bodies and then put them on stage. Nevertheless, what is sad is that no matter how much the opposition speak of religion and no matter how much the opposition try to direct the focus to issues, all the DRP have to do is point their figures and say “they are Christian missionaries and this time the vote is to choose between a church and a mosque”, and Maumoon’s 40% will scream and cheer and continue to dance.

How do you counter this meaningless drivel? Maybe you cant? Does the opposition try to show themselves as being even more religious than Maumoon? Do we get our friendly beards, Adhaalath and of course lets not forget Dr. Hassan Saeed to get up on stage and see who can recite the most ‘ayaih’ and ‘hadiths’? Adhaalath gets up on stage on an alliance platform and says, women shouldn’t become judges and shouldn’t contest for the Presidency, strictly contradicting the constitution and the MDP Itthihaad’s policies. Sheikh Hussain Rasheed talks about Maumoon’s faith and then questions why his wife and daughters arent veiled? Or his colleague will talk about how Maumoon’s government has destroyed Islamic faith in this country to the extent that you now see couples all over each other on the street, which was not an image you used to see before in the streets of Male’. Is that really what we want to reduce the religious debate to? Speaking about the burgua, I personally would rather go along with Maumoon’s than Adhaalath’s version, and whats wrong with a little love on the streets? Its better than seeing someone being stabbed.

Lets not kid ourselves, Maldivians have never been the most strict followers of the faith. We have an external impression which is portrayed by the 100% Islamic state statistic, and then we have a subculture of sneaking around, which slightly reduces this 100%. Is the country ever going to be ready to debate about the issue of religion in a moderate manner? Probably not for a long time. The global trends do not allow it and neither does our local political context. Until then, the opposition will present Adhaalath and BA Naseem and Maumoon will call everyone against him Christian missionaries, while doing whatever he wants.

30 years in power has allowed him to say whatever he wants, and not back it up with anything credible. 40% of the country have shown that they do not require their leader to be held accountable, that his actions do not have to back up his words and that receiving a Dhivehi translation of the Holy Quran along with some money is a sufficient portrayal of someone who will protect the faith. In addition to the sense of fear that he has helped to establish, there is also the idea that without Maumoon life as they know it would disappear. Here’s hoping that they soon realise that their strength of faith is something they control, and not something controlled by the head of state, be it Anni or Maumoon.

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!

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.

ok not the most apt post title for this photo-but sitting or standing, United for Change!- photo taken from www.voteanni.com

Excuse the cheesy title of this post, but following tonight’s rally by the opposition alliance, it suits the purpose. Finally, deals done, wounded egos put aside, all opposition candidates (except for Umar Naseer) presented themselves as one to the public. The rally was long winded, with representatives from all parties given a chance to speak, but necessary, and the crowd definitely appreciated it. It was so full people were spilling out of Dharubaaruge.

It was interesting to see the reactions of the other opposition candidates in such a rally. At the beginning of the ceremony, it seemed as if Ibra and Dr. Hassan were finding it a bit tough to deal with their situation, but their moods and body language changed as the night went on. Gasim on the other hand was fully into it, waving his hands in the air, clapping and shaking hands with everyone. It does highlight the vast differences of personal opinions and baggage that each side brings to this opposition; maybe this diversity can produce a stronger and more credible unity. (Oh I’m so cheesy tonight, its slightly killing me!)

Dr. Waheed, Dhiyaana and Anni were the stars of the night for me. They, I think gave the most effective speeches. It was exciting, got the crowd going and kept the momentum alive. Ibra and Jameel’s speeches were beneficial in that they highlighted more policy issues on why we should oppose Maumoon. Dr. Hassan also stepped up to the plate. Begrudgingly or not, he purposefully ended by saying that he believed Mohamed Nasheed was the man for the future. Usually they avoid naming Anni personally, and instead ask people to oppose Maumoon and vote for change. This time however, he defined this change as Mohamed Nasheed. Although I am personally opposed to him, and I find the conditions he proposed for his acceptance of the opposition alliance, distasteful, I applaud him for manning up tonight.

On the subject of holding another election 15 months down the line -if the opposition alliance wins on Oct. 28- I am personally against it. I agree with Anni that we should never shy away from an election, I agree that democracy is seen through consecutive turnovers in government, but holding another presidential election 15 months after a country’s first multiparty presidential election, local council elections and parliamentary elections is a lot for a country of our size and wealth to bear. The next five years are going to be crucial with the newly established institutions to be well-maintained and new economic and social development policies to be implemented. People need to be fed, clothed, housed and employed and they need to see that the new government they’ve elected in can do it. Having a full on election after 15 months seems unnecessary, and I question the genuine reasons behind Hassan Saeed’s wishes for it. Are we also not giving Maumoon and the DRP an advantage, 15 months down the line, nothing concrete will have been achieved, giving them all the ammunition to attack the alliance, and then slip in power again. Or is this being too cynical?

No really, I prefer to be overreacting about this. Either way, lets see what happens. Atleast they all got up on stage together tonight, even if some of them looked like they’d been placed on the naughty chair towards the beginning of the ceremony! Oh you’ve got to love the drama of politics sometimes. No matter how complex egotistical, or frustating, we have a choice and it is, Maumoon or change. I for one, want change, and as Hassan Saeed – the dear man!- so signified tonight, that change is Mohamed Nasheed (Anni).

The stories are that Hassan Saeed is not going to fully commit to the campaign; he might make one official appearance to endorse the alliance and then go off by himself to campaign for the alliance, against Maumoon. Some say that this is because his financial backers wont allow him to fully endorse Anni.

Have you also happened to notice that Hassan Saeed has now created a political party, the Dhivehi Gaumee Party? Slightly hypocritical of his former campaign platform? According to rumour, Hassan has a slight problem sitting next to Anni and Gasim. He says he doesn’t want to lose his integrity. Ok seriously? He has a problem sitting next to Anni, who he personally charged with terrorism or Gasim who he was once in government with and sat with in Maumoon’s cabinet? Sounds slightly dubious don’t you think. You would also think that being a politician, he would be man enough to deal with his broken pride and precious integrity enough to realise that fully committing to and campaigning with the opposition alliance will strengthen his future political career and also allow him to achieve his and his supporter’s vision of defeating Maumoon. Or is he not being genuine about wanting this change? What happened to all the unconditional offers of assistance and endorsement? I have so many questions about this man! Where is he to give us all these answers?

There are many people, Hassan, Ibra, Gasim and Anni supporters who are calling on their respective candidates to commit to this alliance in order to bring down Maumoon, and establish change in the country. However, it is demoralising for those who once supported Hassan to see him being so aloof and indecisive about matters. Either, Hassan needs to publicly make a stand and say what he’s going to do or not do and his reasons for his or he needs to step up to the plate, get on a boat/air taxi/dhoni and get on stage with the rest of the alliance. Likewise, a little pressure from his supporters wouldn’t hurt either. After all, isn’t that the people power that he defined as his agenda for the election? The people want a change, help us to achieve it.

For further reading-
Hassan Saeed Applies To Form Political Party

ދިވެހި ގައުމީ ޕާޓީގެ ނަމުގައި ސިޔާސީ ޕާޓީއެއް އުފައްދަން ޑރ. ހަސަން ސައީދު ހުށަހުއްވައިފި

He then told us that one of his friends who had voted for Hassan Saeed in the first round, had called him up and told him that he wasn’t going to vote for Anni in the second round, even if it meant voting against Maumoon. He was just going to stay home and not vote. Which is a sentiment that has been flying around, again reiterating the fact that the 60% who voted for the opposition in the first round are not a guaranteed bunch. They need to constantly be convinced. The response the driver gave to his friend was one of the best I’ve heard. He said,“Kanda vetti fethigen dhaairu ves fathaaka/neyvaalaaka nulheynanhey?” I think what he said sums up the divide between those who cannot get their heads around voting for Anni in the second round. Not voting is never a good option in a society that is known for its vote rigging capabilities. Not voting in a circumstance that allows us to choose whether or not to keep a dictator, who has already been there for 30 years for another 5, is arrogant and irresponsible.

There are many who have said today that Anni should step aside and give the candidacy to Hassan Saeed. Some have even created a facebook group and a petition for this called, A Petition for Responsible Change. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=28509639716.  Legally the only way it would be possible for Hassan Saeed to take over the candidacy is if Anni withdraws his candidacy.

This allows the third person who received the highest number of votes to go into the second round. Does it seem fair to you to ask the candidate who received 25% of the vote to step back for someone who got 16.7%? The other option is for Hassan Saeed to join the MDP and then call for another Party primary to see if he can get elected as the MDP’s Presidential candidate. We must remember that it is not just Anni that is represented by Aneh Dhivehi Raaje, but the MDP. He was elected by the majority of the Party, he didn’t just appoint himself to the position. People who ask for Anni to step aside and for Hassan to take his place instead should be slightly ashamed of themselves, for they are completely undermining the point of a political party. But then again we all know that Hassan Saeed doesn’t think this country is ready for a muti party system. Oh actually, another rumor on the grapevine today was that Hassan himself was thinking of establishing a Party. My my, how things change!
If Hassan Saeed is that committed to reform and getting rid of Maumoon, and has said that he unconditionally supports Anni and Aneh Dhivehi Raaje then why cannot his supporters get  fully on board. Anni has already said that if these opposition parties of MDP Itthihaad get elected, the government will be one that incorporates all of the Parties that have chosen to join them.

Not one single person of the other opposition parties have thought of the personal moral sacrifices that ordinary members of the MDP have to make when they decide to welcome people like Gasim and Hassan Saeed, who we do have issues against. Or what it feels like when after years of consistent work, people who come in at the final second get to grab cabinet posts and policy deals, because they are so unashamedly selfish that they cannot commit to anything without wanting something back in return even if they don’t deserve it. (I suppose I am being naive, but this is the only place I can voice my true feelings so let me vent!) However, because the members of the MDP are committed to reform, because they want change, and because they want Maumoon out, they know that the only way to do is to unite and Vote for Anni and the MDP Itthihaad. There is no more room to call Anni or the MDP stubborn or dictatorial, they have done everything to show that they are accommodating.

So, today we have seen press conferences confirming the joining of MDP and Jumhooree Gulhun. Ibra and Hassan Saeed extened their support publicly yesterday. What we really need to see is their on the ground commitment. Campaigning together, showing people that they are in fact united and determined to bring about this change.  This means that people like Hassan Saeed have to either say adieu or convince their financial backers such as Shaveed of VB. I mean can we really believe that Shaveed and co. wanted true meaningful change when they refuse to now support a candidate who their previous candidate has endorsed?
Returning to the taxi driver’s adage, people need to decide to vote again in the second round. They need to vote for Anni and the MDP Itthihaad. They need to choose to swim.

Now we have to motivate ourselves for the run off.  The second round of elections will be the culmination of the Maumoon/Anni saga, which has been ongoing for over 20 years. How do we get there? We have no option but to unite the opposition, which whether we like to admit it or not is easier said that done. We face a myriad of challenges, firstly within the 60% of those who voted for opposition candidates.

Hassan Saeed’s supporters should be divided into certain categories. You have your hard core Adduans who voted for Hassan because he’s from Addu and they see it as a huge honour and one of the only ways of getting their views truly represented on the nation’s stage. You then have your ‘educated professionals, those thauleemee/gaabil/ilmee beyfulhun’ who voted for Hassan and his New Maldives boys because they are moderate, talk manifesto and quietly discuss their conservative ideas without wanting to cause a fuss. Finally you have those who wanted to vote against Maumoon, but still wanted a Fresh Maumoon, which Hassan encapsulated by his studies in the Islamic field and the recitation of Quranic verses in his speeches. Within all these groups, comes the idea that Hassan propagated, of the Maldives not being ready for multiparty politics.  A very Maumoon like idea, of maintaining homogeneity and unity and that the result of multiparty politics is street demonstrations and shouting. Yes Maldivians are terribly afraid of causing a stir! Lets not raise our voices, lets just wait quietly for another 30 years.
Lets also not forget the big businesses like Universal or more specifically one of their son-in-laws, VB Shaveed who supported Hassan because a) Shaveed is from Addu and so is Hassan and also b) because maybe Hassan would be easier to control than Anni.  Oh and lets not forget to add Gadhage Saleem and Solah Shihab to the list.

On that note, lets turn to Gasim’s supporters. Now, at least Hassan had a manifesto which he promoted. Gasim’s party took chunks out of MDP’s manifesto and then attached a 500 Ruffiyaa note to its cover before promoting it. Gasim’s Party publicised the fact that he was the only person capable of governing the Maldives and leading it to economic development because after all he is the one behind Villa enterprises. They conveniently chose to forget that he is personally in debt and that he also helped to create huge deficits in the national budget while he was Finance Minister. Then they also have their unholy and pretty much useless alliance of MNC and the beards of adhaalath. Either way, lets not forget that people voted for Gasim because of his money, what they got from his distributions during the run up to the elections or because they were employed by him, ADK Nashid, or Lolly Jabir. The Addu votes they got were a result of Munnawar, KD, Addu Aslam and Moosa Anwar. The gang of four who were so personally against Anni, they even risked their own political careers to bring Anni down with ridiculous court cases. Well it didn’t work.

Is there a point in talking about Ibra and Umar with their measly 1%? For people who have registered political parties, they couldn’t even come up with 3,000 votes. Lets have Dr. Baathil instead.

Saying all this, I understand that this is the only way forward for us,  that we have to unite. The reason for this post was to get this anger out of my system, to put aside the resentment that they’ve all come running back with their tails between their legs and that MDP is and always has been the only people to welcome everybody to the cause.

Yes the opposition have a hard battle to fight amongst themselves. Those who rejected Anni claiming he was not educated enough, just an agitator who could not govern, now have to realise that 25% of the country still think that he can do it better than them. What more does he need to do to prove that he is capable? Not shout, not walk on the street and personally shake hands and talk frankly to the people whose support he’s seeking. Why do peoples’ image of a President have to be a soft spoken, educated, conservative man, instead of one that is passionate and voices his opinions?  It is so pathetic the emphasis people put on a university degree or a suit and tie. It is ridiculous that shouting Maumoon Istihiufaa or Golhabo on the street is worse to some people than being an accomplice/propping up a dictatorship, or spitting on the street, or not speaking nicely to a beyfulhu. Get over yourselves. We should have always been giving more prominence to the people who worked tirelessly in their many different little ways to campaign. Whether it was sitting at Haruge overseeing tshirt printing, or stuffing leaflets into envelopes, the people who actually went out there and did something to back up the words they were espousing.

Nevertheless, the majority of the opposition still believe that Anni is the one who can bring about the change we need. So while we’re uniting for change, maybe we should acknowledge the fact that its not just an Anti Maumoon campaign, but a Vote Anni campaign. The people who voted for Hassan Saeed and the rest need to bury their personal animosity towards Anni and focus on the facts. The opposition candidates have endorsed Anni and therefore MDP’s Aneh Dhivehi Raaje. Not voting for Anni and the MDP Itthihaad is a vote in support of Maumoon. If you claim that you are opposed to Maumoon and that your goal in life is to get rid of him, then vote for Anni and MDP Itthihaad. Also realise this, with all the other candidates coming onboad, voting for Anni also means voting for your candidates again. Do a DO Sappe, and stick a Vote Anni poster/sticker/badge back on. (note to Sappe: we don’t do pictures of Anni on our posters while we campaign for him. MDP Itthihaad’s Aneh Dhivehi Raaje is not just about Anni, but about our 5 campaign pledges and the Party)

We have had enough of Maumoon, seriously, lets get him out. Lets also convince the 40% who voted for him, that he hasn’t really done anything much for them in the last 30 years, so why would he do anything to improve their lives in his ‘gadha fas aharu’. How about those people still stuck in Tsunami refugee tents with Maumoon’s posters plastered all over them? 4 years of Maumoon’s government after the Tsunami and still no housing.

There are times in life that you have to take a risk, take a risk for change. We are capable, knowledgeable and committed. Unite for Change, Vote Anni, Vote MDP Itthihaad, lets get Golhaa out!  Lets bring about the Aneh Dhivehi Raaje