Votes should be given to those who deserve it, not those who make pledges: Maumoon

Former president and President of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has called upon the people to cast their votes for the most capable and deserving candidate.

Speaking at a PPM campaign event in Artificial Beach last night, Maumoon listed the factors to consider in a presidential candidate and said that the vote most deserved by a candidate who will mend the social fabric, increase economic sustainability, protect the religion of islam and deliver the services needed by the people.

“As the vote is a trust in itself, it should be given to the party that is most deserving and not just anybody. Not somebody who makes certain pledges. Not to someone with whom you have a special relationship. Not because of your sincerity to someone. But because you think the person is the most suited, most capable,” Maumoon said.

Although he respects all presidential candidates, PPM’s presidential candidate Abdulla Yameen and his running mate Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed are the most capable of discipline and service, Maumoon said.

He said that they are the most deserving of the candidates, and called upon his members not to betray their vote.

Maumoon said that PPM’s purpose of winning the election is to bring development and progress to the Maldives, especially in the areas of education and employment.

“Our aim is to provide a equal development for the people of Maldives. Equal development is to provide for every person, from every level of society, with the equal opportunity to go forward. Whether it is a person living in Male’ or one living in the atolls, regardless the family the person comes from, it is the equal opportunity to progress,” Maumoon said.

Speaking on a different note, the former president said he has recently been receiving messages inquiring as to why he has been absent from PPM campaign events. He said that it was a false perception and that he has been participating in all PPM events in Male’. As proof, he stated that he had even released an official statement appealing to the people to vote for Yameen and Jameel.

However, he said that he was absent from campaign trips to the atolls as that had was out of the country on a family matter and that he had been suffering from a bad cold ever since he returned home. He said that he will join Yameen and Jameel in their campaign trips to the islands very soon, Maumoon said.