Nasheed Calls for Systemic Change to Address Leadership Shortcomings in Maldives

Former President Mohamed Nasheed expressed his view yesterday that the country has yet to witness the emergence of a capable leader since the elections held in 2008. 

In order to address this issue, Nasheed proposed a shift in the current system of governance during a gathering of Democrats. The meeting aimed to foster discussions on altering the composition of the Parliament.

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Nasheed deliberated on the decision of whether to maintain the existing 87 constituencies or introduce changes. The Democrats have suggested reducing the number of seats in each province to 55, although Nasheed emphasised that this was merely an idea under consideration.

According to Nasheed, constituents often desire the removal of certain Members of Parliament, and the challenge lies in the inability to facilitate such changes and enhance women’s participation. He also expressed openness to granting opportunities to special interest groups within the population and augmenting representation for the entire nation.

With the presidential election on the horizon, Nasheed noted that other political parties seemed to focus less on policy matters. When questioned about the absence of candidates from other parties, Nasheed stressed the significance of policies rather than specific individuals.

“It is not a matter of who we choose as a candidate. Even if the right person were to come forward, it would still be a flawed approach. We are striving to establish a system that compels even an unsuitable individual to make the right decisions,” he stated.

Nasheed acknowledged that throughout his life, he has yet to encounter the ideal person for the role. He expressed a lack of expectation in finding the right person presently, be it a close associate or anyone else.

According to Nasheed, the determining factor in any country’s success lies not in the ruler but in the system itself.

He emphasised the need for the current government to halt its immediate projects and focus on contemplating the nation’s future trajectory. Nasheed underlined that the upcoming election should revolve around envisioning the path ahead and centered on reevaluating the existing system.