Opposition alliance presidential candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih would get a full five year time, coalition partner Jumhoory Party (JP) said to rule out early elections.
Main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) manifesto for the upcoming presidential elections has revealed plans for an interim coalition government which would pave the way for early elections.
The manifesto dubbed 'Island Maldives' was officially announced during MDP's extraordinary congress at Alif Alif Atoll Ukulhas island in June.
According to the manifesto which has been divided into five main parts which includes 'island Maldives', 'blue economy', 'proud family', 'caring government' and 'justice'.
Under the manifesto, the coalition government would allow for the country's main opposition leaders who have now been denied the opportunity to contest by the incumbent government. In that regard, the opposition coalition government would hold office for 18 months before paving the way for the top opposition leaders to contest for the presidency.
"MDP believes that the new government should hold office for 18 months. In this 18 months, the government would establish independent institutions and empower political parties," MDP lawmaker Imthiyaz Fahmy had said in the video to unveil the manifesto.
Solih's elections rival and incumbent president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom had questioned the opposition's plans insisting that voters must know how long the opposition candidate would hold office for ahead of the September elections.
In response, JP deputy leader Mohamed Fayyaz on Tuesday insisted that Solih, if elected would hold office for a full five year term and would not step aside after 18 months.
The crunch elections slated for September 23 would be a two horse race between President Yameen who is seeking re-election and Solih who has been backed by Yameen's main political rivals including the now jailed former presidents Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Mohamed Nasheed.
Fayyaz also said the four leaders would allow Solih to lead the country "free of any influence".
Unlike in previous elections, the presidential race would be decided in the first round and is widely seen more as a 'referendum' with a straight choice between the opposition and the government more than an election.
