Meeting with the Crusader of Democracy

Photo Mauroof Khaleel

As the nation is headed for the biggest political rally in its history, I am not in the mood to talk about how the advent of democracy was abruptly disrupted, only three years later on 7th February 2012.

There is enough dismal facts, imagination driven wild fictions, and unconfirmed stories of the events leading up to extinction of Democracy in Maldives that would keep us entertained and bewildered, curious and cautious for ages to comes.

While the issue of forceful deposing a democratically elected president by a mutiny of factions from police and mndf, leaving the vice president to be his successor creates contentious room, whether the new government is democratic or not: without a shadow of doubt, police brutality is a universal characteristics of a dictatorship.

Just only 24hours after later it was evident that our nation has plummeted from a desirable democracy to the iron grips of a dictatorship on February 7, 2012. Brutal crackdown, unlawful detention, merciless beating during and in arrest, coercion and intimidation of the public and growing civil unrest that followed are clear cut indicators of the transition of power our nation underwent, overnight, from a democracy to a dictatorship.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet the former president at his home Kenereege. I was there on an invitation by President Nasheedh to meet the civil society and NGOS of Maldives.

Meeting with the internationally acclaimed crusader of Democracy at his home, surrounded by his former cabinet members and parliamentarians of MDP was one of the most inspirational moments I had since 7th February.

I thought of dedicating this post to President Nasheedh and all believers, supporters, advocates and campaigners of democracy. Below are some truly inspirational quotes of Nasheedh from the discussion we had yesterday.

On elections:
There momentum result and the impact of an election is ultimately a very decisive factor: which is primarily why people focus on ballot boxes. For instance neither our party nor any other political party can afford to be engaged in other activities that are unrelated to the election.
Even in most volatile political environments, even when a nation is under attack, or been bombarded if stability and peace is to be realized and restored then I believe we will have to resort to an election: the results of the election will and can ultimately decide the fate of that nation.
I believe that there is no time or environment that is not conducive for an election. What makes the situation conducive is also the call for an election.

For any reason we as a nation cannot afford to delay or not have an election. Without an election we cannot establish the legitimacy of this government. We will not join the current government. We also will relentlessly continue to pressure the government. So for instance I do not see without the representation of the membership of our party of how the government will appoint ministers and the vice president and ample of such other issues. So I do not see any other way than opting for an election for any political leader in Maldives.

On Police and MNDF

Police and mndf will only behave as they are instructed. It is very clear for us. They would only act as they are instructed or commanded. We know this from the past.

On revolution:

Revolutions are very common. For the international community and for diplomats it is nothing new at all. Only a few days ago a revolution in Thailand selected a new leader only to be ousted in another revolt. This is nothing new to the rest of the world. Only we are shocked, sad and worried.

On civil disobedience:

If we do not get an election we will be left with no option but resort to civil disobedience. I believe civil disobedience is a peaceful political activity. It does not incite violence. I would beseech from all Maldivians to join in the civil disobedience.

On Democracy:

I am not saying that I’m the best democrat. Neither I am saying that everything I do is in accordance with the best democratic principles but for us there is nothing more sacred than democracy. It is our firm understanding that there is nothing more we can achieve by forfeiting democracy. It is also our belief that if we forfeit democracy there is nothing we can gain. I believe if we give up on democracy neither we can achieve the development we aspire.

On Peaceful political activity:
I request all not to climb the areca palms planted on the street even to take pictures of the protest. I can see many journalist and photographer doing it. I request them no to do so. NGO, Reporters, Observers and political party representatives shouldn’t do that. We should not harm the trees. Neither should we vandalize a moto bike or damage any other property. I am certain without a shadow of a doubt that we can control our demonstrators. Tomorrow (17th February 2011) we will see the largest number of people Maldives has seen in a gathering so up to date. Yet we will be capable of bringing pin drop silence at times we need to so and we will make our voices heard loud and clear when we need to. We will be responsible for that, because we should be able and we will have that much control over our people. That control will be established through the mic, by rhetoric, not by batons and pepper spray.
Even if they hit, Don’t hit back. Do not retaliate!

ON the role of civil society:
I want you to be honest. To be sincere and to observe and report everything with honesty sincerity and integrity.
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I support today’s rally for democracy. Even it’s a political party and if its MDP that is doing it I am with them.

Photo Mauroof Khaleel

Thank You.!

Even though I am still trying to figure out what it actually means when they say "HAVE A BLAST" I am profoundly thankful to all my friends who expressed their kind feelings for me on my birthday.

I would like to dedicate this post to thank each and every single one of you from all walks of my life who greeted me and showed me your love kindness and affection. Knowing you, been a part of your life no matter how little is a wonderful blessing i celebrate every day.

The last year was one extraordinary roller-coaster ride, filled with amazing experiences and unforgettable lessons. It had its fair share of enough ups that drove me to redefine my limits and enough downs that kept me sane and human!

One of the greatest lessons i learned last year was the invincible strengths in relationships, the difference people makes in your life. I discovered in most unexpected ways the inert superpower one would possess when he is backed up with his friends and loved ones.

Now, more than ever i believe in relationships and growing old, and becoming a better person with them. I believe in virtues of prayer, honesty, trust, sincerity, love, understanding, forgiveness and compromises. More importantly i desire to practice it every day.

And how can I possibly forget to thank social networks and its astonishing ability to intertwine our lives bringing us together at all time. They make sure you never forget a birthday. Seriously it’s an amazing feeling to wake up and see all those red colored notifications on Facebook every morning.

In short this is my way of saying thank you!

MDP Primaries: The Aftermath

I for one was scared. I never liked primary elections. Its not that I am allergic to democracy in practice. Neither its the fear that the majority of the voters may pick a wrong candidate.

Nor it has anything to do with the fact that primary elections extinguishes the room for negotiation, consensus building and comprise within the party in deciding a candidate that is not only be favoured by few party hardliners during the primary, but also has the charisma and quality of competing, challenging and winning the seat for the party.

I have witnessed and experienced my fair share of primary elections, and on every such occasion I have seen the detrimental impact it has had on the party and its members.

I particularly have a personal attachment to the primary Ahmed Zahir Vs Ahmed Zakee, 2008 where the winning candidate was rewarded with the party’s ticket to compete for the Hithadhoo Dhekunu Constiuency’s seat in the Parliament.

Ahmed Zakee who lost the that primary was admired and backed by few MDP hardliners. The tension that developed between supporters of Zakee and Zahir due to Zahir’s victory had a devastating impact during the general election contributing to the loss of the seat to the opposition candidate.

Ironically it was those proclaimed hardliners of MDP who on every other occasion has stood up for the party through hell and high water (or pretended?), that carried out a successful covert anti campaign operation to fail their own candidate.

There are several other reasons that might have contributed to MDP candidate’s failure back then. Amidst it all, if I was asked to point out the single event that triggered the chain reaction that led to the failure it definitely has to be the incapacity of some MDP members to comprehend and follow the majorities call in the primary.

It was a primary gone badly and there cannot be a more perfect explanation for my fear of primaries.

For many, from members to future candidates the 2008 primary and parliamentary elections has taught an important lesson in an excruciatingly hard way, especially for the mdp member of Hithadhoo south constituency. As of now I do not doubt that they have learned their lessons well.

It was evident this past Monday. In another and new primary election by far the most number of candidates faced off for party’s ticket to compete in the first ever Addu City Council election.

On November 22, 2010 five candidates from Hithadhoo Dhhekunu Constituency, 4 candidates from Hithadhoo Medhu Constituency and 3 candidates from Hithadhoo Uthuru Consituency made a run for for the party’s ticket to compete in the city council election.

By the end of the day, when the all dust settled there was only one winner from each constituency.

Soibbe as expected won the Hithadhoo Uthuru primary by landslide with more than 80% of the votes. So much for the nescient and biased evaluation! The voters metaphorically protested with votes against the evaluation panel for their ridiculous blunder!

Even though there were four names on the Hithadhoo Medhu Ballot paper it actually was a vie between Hussein Hilmy and Shinaz. The remaining two candidates did not even make it into two digits scores.

Unlike Uthru and Medhu consnutituency Hithadhoo Dhekunu primary was the outrageously competitive.

While each and every member of the party has the individual right to contest in all sorts of election both internal and external, I believe this is an occasion where the MDP could have come to an arbitration involving the candidates. As far as I'm concerned I would not consider it as suppressing the right of members, but rather a civilized and proactive effort through dialogue and consensus, to lessen the inevitable segregation and conflicts among members that would surely weaken MDP after the primary.

From the five candidates of Dhekunu 3 are literally from the same family. The remaining two are close relatives. They have common friends and each candidate can easily match the (correct) face with every name of the 702 members enlisted as eligible voters.

Just few days prior to the primary election I got the opportunity to see campaign materials of many candidates of Dhekunun Constituency. To my surprise and dilemma it was ridiculously impossible to say who was leading. Almost all the candidates had an equal number of ticks on the voters list indicating their confirmed voters. More bewildering was the accuracy of their mathematics compared to the actual voter turn out of 395 when the results were announced.

What was evident from an initial analysis of the results of Dhekunu Ballot Box was that all five candidates have equilibrium of die hard supporters. While only one candidate was victoriuos and will be competing for the council seat it is absolutely crucial how those who failed direct and advice their supporters during the election scheduled for February 22.

During the night of election, in the emotionally provocative moment when the ballot papers were been bundled I was absolutely dumbstruck to see all the candidates of Dhekunu constituency sitting together for a coffee at Halite Restaurant. I don’t know whether it was a weird coincidence, a well orchestrated showoff, or just a symbol of unity and cohesion.

Later the same night when the results were announced all candidates joined their hands, with the winner Hussein Fahmy in the middle, on MDP Haruge Stage. One thing was obvious. They all shared a lingering tinge of bitterness from the 2008 parliamentary election and it was as if that history could be evaded from repeating.

But amidst the smiles, the handshakes, hugs and well wishes, if you look more carefully there was the slightest hint of cosmetic and concealed emotions: Emotions that could wreak havoc if unleashed, which not only will weaken the political strength of MDP at one end but also disintegrate the social fabric of this small community. And as I write these I have witnessed the bad omens realize.

And this is exactly where my fears lie.

In the end everything heals but the scars remain until once again even the scars are slashed and sliced.

All of this are symptoms of a new and growing democracy.

Photo courtesy: www.mdp.org.mv , www.facebook.com/sharough