Shahid: Opposition neglecting small islands, even in campaigns

Foreign Minister, Abdulla Shahid said last night that small islands are being neglected in the campaign trips for the upcoming presidential election by the candidates and that those are signs that they will be biased against small islands in the future.

Speaking at the campaign rally held in Kulhudhuffushi last night, Shahid, who is serving as the campaign coordinator for MDP,  said that President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has visited 40 islands and one city in Bodu Thiladhunmathi so far.

He noted that the opposing candidates only visited 17 of those islands and heavily criticised that.

“There was a strong, long line of supporters at the port. The strong spirit was being expressed. That is clear evidence that this election has been won in one round. This concludes the visit to 40 islands and Kulhudhuffushi city in Bodu Thiladhunmathi. Everywhere that was visited the evidence was seen,” Shahid said.

He further said that people from different parts of Maldives have begun to stand behind President Solih.

People (from islands opposition candidates have not visited) ask who else is contesting the election aside from President Solih. They have not come to us,” he said.

“The President meets the people in every island that he visits. He leaves after checking their wellbeing. This is clear evidence that he will win this election in one round.”

He further said that opposing candidates have neglected and isolated the smaller islands and that they do not visit those islands for their campaigns.

“Neglected because they are small islands. Isolated because they are small islands. No projects are being carried out because they are small islands. No need to ask for the public vote at the islands because they are small islands.” he said.

He said the result of not discriminating against small islands will be President Solih winning the election in one round.