The struggle for democracy in Maldives left many a victims in its wake. After years of suppression, the common people got their voice and shed their fears. Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) was one of the leading, vocal activists that lead the cause and stood up against the Dictatorship of Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom (president from 1979-2008). Though Nasheed was not the first person to publicly stand up against Gayyoom, he was the most significant and prominent. MDP was the first and probably the only party with even menial standards of a democratic organisation. Nasheed was toppled within less than 3 years of presidency. The issues Nasheed faced that were more publicly aknoledged were that of a Corrupt Judiciary (with elements of the dictatorship remaining), the Deficit State Budget, the division of the nation and the high standards expected of him at national and international levels.
More often we forget to realise some key reasons that could also be behind the toppling of Nasheed. These issues include; the in-fighting within MDP, the lack of "good people" willing to "get their hands dirty", the irrational and rushed political decisions that were more commonly decided in spite and the Political Deals that were made "in the interest of the people and greater good".
Whatever those reasons may be, the fact remains that once more its MDP with Nasheed against the Dictatorship of Gayyoom (with his younger brother as elected president in 2013). A difference is that this time, the Supreme Court which was appointed by Nasheed (for what ever deals he had to do) is against him. The power wielding, undereducated, lipstick banning, sex tape releasing (all facts), Judges of the Supreme Court are backed by the Judicial Service Commission (that had it's composition decided in such a way that Judges from various courts hold majority-again during Nasheed's term in power). What ever the goodness in his heart, what ever the reason that he had to Sell out the Supreme Court and the JSC, the fact remains, none if it mattered or none of it yielded any good. We are back at square one.
The Parliamentary elections on the 22nd of March, is when the people decide if they will elect persons based on their political affiliation or merely on their personal capacity. It is such a shame that, the only hope for reforming a judiciary that is now overturning decisions of the current parliament, is by electing the members of the only party that is publicly saying they will reform the judiciary; that is MDP. But how can we trust them to do something the second time when they failed initially? Will there be no more political deals that compromise their Core beliefs? Will I be left feeling ashamed for supporting them once more, if i chose to vote for the MDP candidate? This is a dilemma of the highest order! I would love to vote for the candidate who shows integrity and strength by themselves rather than stand feeble and weak unless for a party that backs them. I want and need those charismatic statesmen; but it looks like it is only a dream.
This is one more reason why we need the "None of the Above (NOTA)" option in our elections. So we are not "forced" to vote for people we really do not wish for.
I pray that MDP once more, holds it together, realises their mistakes and bring about the reforms; if they win majority in the parliament.
The worst thing for the people to stop caring about politics and letting a dictatorship to grow once more. History does repeat itself.
I wonder how i would feel at the end of the election? Will i feel like i have done not enough for my nation? Will i feel let down or hopeful? Will my hopes be once more, stifled and extinguished? Only time will tell. Good luck all you good people.
[Photo credit www.sun.mv]
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