The return to politics of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom following his retirement in February last year could unify the opposition or deepen the growing factional split between the two parties, observers have suggested. The former President returned to the Maldives to campaign on behalf of the opposition Dhivehi Rayithunge Party (DRP), of which he remains the ‘Honorary Leader’. In a speech on Thursday evening at Kalaafaanu School in Male’, Gayoom did not show overt support of either the faction led by dismissed Deputy Leader Umar Naseer, or that of current party leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali whom he endorsed on his retirement. Conflict between the two factions came to a head in mid-December when a party rally descended into a factional brawl after supporters of the dismissed Naseer gatecrashed the venue. In his speech Gayoom urged unity, quoting from the Quran and emphasing that “we should work to reduce the disputes among us.” “I am saying this in my capacity as the Supreme Leader...
By Minivan News | February 5th, 2011 | Category: Politics | 13 comments The Maldives votes today in its first local council elections. Minivan News will provide rolling coverage throughout the day (scroll down). Local Council Election Guide (English) 10:00 - The countrys ballot boxes opened from eight this morning without any major disruptions across the country and are expected to remain in use until 4:00pm this afternoon, according to Elections Commission (EC) President, Fuwad Thaufeeq.Thaufeeq told Minivan News that there were no reports of delays or closures at any of the countrys polling stations, with an additional two ballot boxes opened in Trivandrum, India and Colombo, Sri Lanka, for Maldivian nationals overseas.All the [polling] stations were opened on time and many were staffed from about 45 minutes before operating to ensure they were fully ready, he said. We also have the two boxes in Sri Lanka and India that will also open between 8:...
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