For any democracy to function one will always assume that there has to be a ruling party and a opposition party. In the case on Maldives, a country that so happens to be a transitioned democracy, we have some 13 different registered political parties, of course divided into two main fronts. These political parties have already formed alliances and alleged to work hand in hand on these fronts.
Then again when one comes to think about the history of most of these parties, one will find that they come from similar origins, born out of personal conflicts, power hunger or difference in opinion. Same old faces from day one, shuffling through the "Party System" of a struggling country.
The country happens to be a Presidential system of government however, with too many elements of a parliamentary system of governance.
Members of the Parliament (MPs) are elected after a General election where constituencies get to elect their candidates whether it be an independent candidate or a party candidate. When a candidate comes out with a party ticket, the public goes along with their favored political party and makes sure that the party gets the seat. On rare instances in some constituencies where people do not favor any of the party choices they have, get themselves an independent candidate on their seat. Now these members are elected either cause of their party background or simply cause their political stance go along with the majority.
The same applies for of the President. You have a set of fellas coming from either party primaries, in some cases where the simple raise of hand in a party council of 5-7 (maybe more), nominate candidates to the general voters. Or the Independent candidate who does not come from any party backing but of course through "well wishing" financial backing. The voters get to make their pick, the guy with the majority becomes the president.
I suppose its quite simple and very democratic.
However, when you have elected MPs changing and shuffling in their one term, from one party to another, general public won't just go along. Here are constituencies that elected certain someone not for the person he is but for the party he represents, those people are not gonna be happy. Then again it happens. The Parliament can shuffle and reshuffle every fortnight. And guess what, the parliament has ultimate control on almost all affairs of the country. Simply that's how the law works.
In the end of 2008 we witness history in the country when 30 year long President of the country Gayyom proved the bench that he has never served as a president in the country of course according to the New version of the Constitution and that he can indeed compete in the elections where clearly states no one person can stay in office for longer than two terms. Apparently a constitution that was supposed to be amended turned out to be a totally new constitution in the end.
After what turned out to be a Maldivian version of 'Clash of Titans', Nasheed the activist swore oath on 11 November 2008 as the President. The government so many called the "Change every one wanted", in a life of two years lost its allies and became heavily discredited and now has "become every ones nightmare" so tells every person who has an opposition agenda. As expected the general public goes along with the flow.
Dhivehi Rayyitunge Party, founded and brought into existence by non other than Gayyom, abandoned him, well to the most part Thasmeen, who was up brought to the ranks by Gayyom, kicked the old man out. Though officially Gayyom left on his own, knowing he can't get hold of the DRP vessel, created his own new Fan base with the all new Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM). He was joined with his little brother Yameen, who earlier detached from DRP opposing big brother to go ahead with his own bandit Peoples Alliance (PA).
With a struggling economic meltdown, increased inflation and of course well propagated opposition and lost allies Nasheed seems to be loosing support once he had. Then again non of this is seen from the Party membership numbers. Yet huge speculation remain that the country has turned away from their Island President.
Gayyom loyalists propagates that Nasheed is a drunk loose cannon going mad. While Nasheed goes on promising more flats and apartments on every other island he visits. God knows where things are heading. But one thing is for sure ... Its Maldives ... People can easily fall for anything.
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