Post Election

Following the Parliamentary Elections, many have asked me about the outcome, both regarding the constituency I contested in, and in more general terms, nationally. I have not commented on either, other than to say that with regard to my own campaign, that I accept the decision of the public.

The first question asked from me by the media was of course, whether the result of the election meant that my political career was over. I was asked the same question over and over again following the Presidential Elections. I sometimes mull over what might happen to a nation if everyone who loses an election left the political stage. How many more politicians would be forthcoming?

The outcome of any election simply means that the public decided in a particular way at that point in time. They are at complete liberty to change their minds and go 180 in the next election. This is more so in parliamentary elections. But it seems to me that for some reason, there are a number of ‘powerful’ people who are rather anxiously waiting for me to declare that I have quit politics.

There is one myth which has been created that in 2005 I was elected to the Majlis by MDP, and therefore, my failure to secure the seat this time was because I left MDP. The wisdom goes on to say I should rejoin MDP to ensure centre stage in the political arena. The fact however is, that I got elected to the Majlis long before political parties became a reality in the Maldives. Selective amnesia, I suppose.

But there is one important question to be addressed in this regard. Do I want to be elected to the Majlis so badly, that I would sell my soul to the devil? If I seek election, why do I seek it? Is it for personal fame and gain, or to work towards achieving certain national goals while still retaining my morality and principles? Would I become part of a farce simply to declare that I am an MP?

There are two paths to the Majlis. One is to see which way the tide is turning, get on the band-wagon which is most likely to win, and sail through. That way, you could be changing loyalties every other day. But the question then is, what do you hope to achieve out of it? The second way is to feel a lot of passion for what you believe in with regard to your nation, convince enough people that what you are trying to do is good for the nation, and get a mandate from those people to act on their behalf in making national decisions. I chose the second path in 2004 and 2005 and again in 2008 and 2009. I succeeded in 2004 and 2005; but I failed in 2008 and 2009.

I failed to convince enough people of Machangolhi Uthuru constituency that the Majlis should be a place which focuses on the national interest rather than be an arena for two individuals to feed their egos via proxies and in the process destroy the nation. I tried, but I failed. Now that I have failed, I must accept the following fact.

The fact is, that the majority of Maldivian people do not want democracy or the rule of law. They just want to empower individuals who will look after their personal interests, and a government which will provide personal opportunities for them at the cost of their neighbour’s opportunities. Feudalism at its best. This is the harsh reality. Corrupt politicians can only succeed in a nation of corrupt or apathetic voters.

The question for me, then is, am I willing to ‘go with the tide’ to win political power? No, Thank you.