President to ratify on 7 August 2008‏

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has announced he will be ratifying the new Constitution on 7 August 2008. The President has said so at a meeting held for the media this afternoon at the President’s Office. Opposition parties have voiced concern for the delay of ratification, and there was a huge protest last Sunday evening by the United National Alliance and their supporters demanding for the ratification of the Constitution without delay. Leaders of various opposition parties gathered near the Presidential Palace wanting to meet the President while angry supporters chanted, and called for the President’s resignation. The protest was disbursed by Police.

President Gayoom later in his independence Day message told the nation ratification of the Constitution is a great responsibility vested in him and he has to take utmost care and interest of the people in that process. President Gayoom also said ratification is not merely a ceremony indicating the great importance he has to give in the process.

There are reports of serious concern raised by the European Union about the delays in the Constitutional reforms, but the Foreign Ministry was quick to respond to it by stating that EU’s statement was ill informed.

Some important laws required to be enacted before the ratification of the Constitution have already been passed by the Majlis. They include Police Bill and Bill on general regulations. Bill on general regulations giving powers under the law included 83 regulations in affect by various government ministries. This Bill was passed by the Majlis yesterday. President’s decision to announce a date for ratification came immediately after the passing of the bill.

There were wide speculations that the new Constitution will be ratified either on 30 or 31 of July, but it is believed there was not enough time to hold the ratification on these dates and it is unlikely to get a date before August 7 in view of the SAARC Summit to be held in Colombo from 1 to 2 August. President Gayoom is expected to attend the Summit. He is the only Head of State who have attended all SAARC Summits.

New Constitution which will introduce unprecedented democratic and political reforms has taken 4 years to complete. The Constitution will bring with it wider democratic reforms and new powers for the Majlis, separation of powers including independent judiciary, election commission, auditor general. Multi party election will be held for the first time to elect the President and Majlis. Presidential election is expected to be held in October. President Gayoom, who is seeking a seventh term, will be contesting with several other candidates in the upcoming election.

While some say President Gayoom will comfortably win the election, others say the mood in the country is for change and a new leader. Mohamed Nasheed( Anni )from main opposition party MDP, Ibrahim Ismail(Ibra )from Liberal Party, President’s brother Abdulla Yamin from People’s Alliance (PA) , Attorney General Dr. Hassan Saeed, former Finance Minister Gasim Ibrahim and Umar Naseer from IDP are likely to contest in the election.

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