Interview: Ahmed Moosa on Historic Referendum In Maldives

The referendum was a blessing in disguise. One chapter of history has been written, it has awakened many.

The Maldives went through a referendum on August 18, 2007 on whether it should have a presidential or parliamentary form of Government.

One of the founding members of the MDP and Editor-in-Chief of Dhivehi Observer, Ahmed Moosa, who lives in exile, spoke about the referendum. Am exclusive interview

Q: Are the winds of change for real, is history being written in Maldives

Ahmed Moosa: The people of Maldives are deprived of their; basic rights to 'free and fair' elections by the regime of Dictator Gayyoom. The public referendum on system of government was a historic opportunity but the people's voice was deliberately distorted by the aging dictator.

One chapter of history has been written. Our people do not fear the dictatorship of Gayyoom anymore. They have learned the basics of free and fair campaigning without being intimidated and harassed, as was the case in the past three decades.

Q: What was the outcome of the referendum, results, who was monitoring the referendum, who had voting rights and was there any violence

Ahmed Moosa: There is no doubt in our minds that the outcome of the referendum was rigged. The electoral roll was inaccurate. Thousands of dead people were on the list, including my own father, who passed away in 1997. Furthermore, the total number of eligible voters (190,000) announced by the Election Commissioner is false. Election commissioner himself admitted just one day after the voting that he had printed 300,000 ballot papers and that very few ballots were left at the end of the voting. Maldives Human Rights Commission, representatives of political parties and a small group of observers from Commonwealth attempted to oversee the voting.

Our party, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) said that the results of this referendum are not acceptable, citing the reasons, which mostly is due to vote rigging. Everyone over the age of 18 was allowed to vote in this referendum, in addition to the police and the army, who had previously never taken part in any public election or referendum. There is increasing evidence that they played a major part in rigging the votes by casting several ballots each. Despite the vote rigging and harassment by the authorities, we were able to contain any trouble flaring up and hence no violence occurred.

Q: Are we witnessing a change of heart on part of the government

Ahmed Moosa: Absolutely not! Dictator Gayyoom and his government once again betrayed the people of this country by rigging their votes and distorting their voice. He is incapable of holding a free and fair election. The man is corrupt to the bone and unless we deal with him first, we will never achieve our objective of bringing true democracy to our nation.

Q: What was your role in this referendum and that of MDP

Ahmed Moosa: I believe that Dhivehi Observer played a significant role in informing people of their basic principles of a 'parliamentary system' for them in order to be able to make an informed choice. As for my party, the MDP, which was the only party supporting the 'parliamentary system', it did a wonderful job in the campaign by educating the public about the importance of choosing 'parliamentary system' over 'presidential system'. We sincerely believe that people made a conscious decision on 18th August but as I have said before, the vote was rigged and the people's voice was distorted by the dictator.

Q: What changes can an ordinary citizen expect and what benefits can as parliamentary democracy bring to Maldives

Ahmed Moosa: People want more accountability and better public services. People want a transparent government that works for their benefit and we believe that only a 'parliamentary system' can deliver that. With a parliamentary system, we can create a more affluent, a more tolerant and a more peaceful society. People wanted that - but the Dictator wants to remain in power hence he rigged the vote.

Q: Is there "peoples power" in making in Maldives? Are you ready? Are programs prepared

Ahmed Moosa: We have a lot to learn. We have been caught off guard this time. I think it's a wakeup call for all of us and to our friends in the international community.

A free election is impossible as long as Dictator Gayyoom is allowed to appoint the Election Commissioner and use state funds and properties to distort public voice. 'People Power' is emerging in our country now but I believe there is more work ahead to generate its full impact.

Q: Has your current trip to India something to do to convince the Indian Government to play a more balanced role in the case of Maldives

Ahmed Moosa: I am on a private family visit here, meeting members of my family, whom I have not met for the past 4 years. Since I have been refused a Maldivian passport, I do not have a valid travel document to visit my own country. I am traveling with a British Travel Document, which is valid to travel to all countries, except my own, the Maldives. India is the closest I can get to home.

Q: Any last comments

Ahmed Moosa: I believe this referendum was a blessing in disguise. It has awakened many who had thought that gone are the days when this man could rig the vote. It also sends a signal to the international community that dictators don't repent and they can never become democrats. International community has an obligation to protect and safeguard the voice of the people, which can only be heard through 'free and fair' elections.

Ahmed Moosa thank you!