Nasheed: Internal primaries for parliament are held in few countries

Political parties of only a handful of countries in the word hold internal primaries for parliamentary elections, says former Maldivian President, Mohamed Nasheed.

In a tweet this Tuesday morning, Nasheed said that the internal democracy of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) was of utmost importance. But that political parties of only a handful of countries hold internal primaries for parliamentary elections.

He said internal primaries had both its advantages and disadvantages – as personally experienced by MDP in the past.

“However, it is my opinion that the MDP ticket should be given after holding primaries,” tweeted Nasheed.

MDP hingumugai party ge ethereyge democracy varah muhinmu. Dhunieyge varah madhu siyaasee party ehga parliament gondee ge ticket dhinumah primary eh baavvanee. Miee faidha aai gellun huri kamehkan MDP thajuribaa kohfi. Ehenas, dhenves MDP ticket dheyn fennanee primary akah fahu

— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) November 6, 2018

Nasheed’s tweet comes at the heels of the announcement by former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom last Monday that all opposition coalition partners have agreed to support the candidacy of the 12 recently reinstated lawmakers in their respective constituencies for the upcoming parliamentary elections without going through internal primaries.

And that 12 lawmakers, after their meeting with Nasheed last Monday, told the press that Nasheed told them they deserved party tickets for their sacrifice.

Many, citizens and lawmakers alike, have voiced opinions against such a move, deemed disrespectful of due democratic process.