Parliament Speaker and MDP's presidential primary candidate, Mohamed Nasheed, has said President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had previously said a five-year presidential term was too long.
Nasheed will go head to head with President Solih in the main-ruling party's presidential primary slated for January 28. The campaigns of both candidates are ongoing in full swing.
Speaking at a campaign rally held at B. Eydhafushi on Wednesday, Nasheed said President Solih initially said a five-year presidential term was too long. He claimed that President Solih said he most longed to see the day that Nasheed would once again rule the country after he was elected to office.
Nasheed said when President Solih first came to power, the MDP manifesto said that President Solih would rule for 18 months.
"But today, when you have the benefits of luxury, honor, and respect, it may be difficult for you to walk away," Nasheed said.
Noting the recent issues in the MDP register, President Nasheed said the people who have been elected twice as island council members on MDP tickets are not on the MDP register today.
"The list matches the register maintained by the Election Commission. The commission's computers are being accessed by various politicians," he said.
He said he would win the MDP primary election despite fraudulent plans to deter his win.
"We know how to pull through from narrow spaces. We win even when there is no space," Nasheed said.
President Nasheed added that his past wins were not achieved because he had much political space. However, the love and support of the people played an important role in the victory, he said.
