President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said he would not run for office again if he completed two terms.
President Solih is vying for the main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s presidential ticket, seeking re-election. He will go head to head against Parliament Speaker and MDP President Mohamed Nasheed in the party's presidential primary slated for January 28.
The president's comments regarding a third term come while Nasheed said at a Wednesday campaign rally in Hithaadhoo that President Solih would run for a third term by amending the Constitution.
Responding to Nasheed at a meeting with his campaign teams held in Hulhumale', President Solih said he did not want a third term in office and did not wish to head the country if the Maldives' government system changed from a presidential system to a parliamentary system.
President Solih said he ran for a second term because he supports a presidential system. On the contrary, President Nasheed has always been a loud supporter of the parliamentary system.
President Solih said it was clear to the people of the Maldives who was chasing power. He urged MDP voters to think carefully before casting their vote in the party's primary.
"It is only about power, power, power. Everyone is aware who wishes to come to power, even if it is by changing the government system or amending the Constitution," he said.
The President has also responded to President Nasheed's statement that Nasheed would oust President Solih. He said gaining and losing power was not in the hands of human beings. He said he was elected president with the support of the majority of the people.
