President threatens to resign if candidates cannot agree on election

President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has said he will resign if the presidential candidates cannot agree to an inclusive, independent election to have a president in office by 11 November.

The President made the statement in an interview to Indian newspaper, The Hindhu on Sunday.

“I will tell them I will resign, and then, so will the Vice-President. After that, the responsibility will fall on the Speaker [to assume office as President as per the Maldivian Constitution],” The Hindhu quotes President Waheed.

The President is stated to have said that until today, he has remained in the “backseat,” but feels that he must now give more direction and help the electoral process.

He added that he would work to make the poll process free, fair and inclusive and try to convince all candidates to agree to go ahead with the polls. If the candidates cannot agree to having a new president in office by 11 November, he will resign, President Waheed said.

Asked if he will stay in office after November 11, in a scenario where the elections have not been held, the President said: “I am not comfortable to stay on. It would be my preference that there be an elected President. And it would also be my preference that if this is not possible, then there would be some other arrangement made.”