Dr. Shainee: All inclusive election does not mean Nasheed

Fisheries Minister, Dr. Mohamed Shainee has said that by calling to hold a free, open election in the Maldives where anyone can take part in, by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) is not a call to give the former President Mohamed Nasheed the opportunity to take part in the election.

At the CMAG meeting last Friday, Maldives was put on the agenda.

In a statement issued by CMAG regarding the meeting, the Group stressed that time-bound dialogue remains critical to achieve national agreement on institutional reform, and to ensure a conducive environment for credible and inclusive Presidential Elections in 2018.

Responding to the CMAG remarks, some members of the opposition MDP has been saying that the former President Mohamed Nasheed must be able to take part in the 2018 Election.

The Fisheries Minister, Dr. Shainee who has been leading government in the inter-party talks told Sun Media tonight that “an election all can take part in” was said by CMAG to hold the elections under the Constitution of the Country.

Article 109 of the Maldivian Constitution says that a person who served a prison sentence of over one year can take part in Presidential Election after three years from the day the sentenced has served in full or shown clemency.

Ex-President of the Maldives and the President of MDP, Mohamed Nasheed was sentenced to 13-years in prison in 2015. The sentenced would be served in full in 2028.

Dr. Shainee said that CMAG did not say an “all inclusive” election indicating to President Nasheed.

He said that there are conditions that need to be met to be able to run for President and a person can take part in the election only if those conditions are met.

“When it’s said “all inclusive” even a child might say to give him the presidency. But the Constitution says that children cannot be a president. It (the election) must be done under the Constitution, the laws and the regulations.” Dr. Shainee said.