Those involved must take responsibility for defeat: Nasheed

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has said that he, as part of the leadership of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), takes responsibility for his party’s defeat in Saturday’s Parliamentary Election.

Nasheed said this during a press conference today at Hikifinifenmaage.

“We have to accept it, don’t we? Being part of the party’s leadership means that those involved must take responsibility for victories as well as defeats,” he said.

Nasheed said that factors that contributed to the low number of votes for MDP in the election include the party’s election budget, loss of public confidence in the Elections Commission following the removal of its President Fuad Thaufeeg from his post, and the low voter turnout.

Nasheed said that due the removal of Fuad Thaufeeg from Elections Commission few days ahead of the election, he does not recognise the election as a fair one; however, MDP accepts the result of the election.

He also called on new people to join the party leadership.

“I want new people to join the management of the party, but I don’t plan step away from the party. I will always be involved in the party’s work. I will travel, I will participate in rallies, I will conduct workshops and other activities as much as I can – but I want new people to join the management,” he said.

Nasheed also called on the government coalition, which has won landslide majority in the parliament, to use this power for good purposes instead of imposing challenges for the opposition.

He also said that he was confident that President Yameen Abdul Gayoom will lead the efforts to reform the judiciary, and assured that MDP will fully cooperate with these efforts.

Nasheed said that a law must be introduced to prevent MPs elected through a particular party from defecting to other parties.

“I think this [defecting to other parties] is less in MDP. I think, similar to many countries, we need a law to prevent MPs from floor crossing in councils and the parliament,” he said.

Nasheed also congratulated President Yameen on the government coalition’s victory in the Parliamentary Election.