Remarkable Maldives elections

MALDIVES has created history on two counts -- it has finally gone democratic and a former political prisoner has unseated Asia's longest-serving leader.
Mohammed "Anni" Nasheed bounced back from second position to win the presidency. This was the first multi-party election in the Maldives, and Gayoom was ousted even though he was first among several candidates in the first round of the polls.
Since no one could secure the required percentage of the votes, a run-off balloting set at rest all speculations whether Gayoom would continue to rule the nation or a new face would emerge.
The first democratic polls took place in the island state, belying much scepticism. President Gayoom had made it clear since last year that his nation was moving towards democratic reforms.
However, this did not come voluntarily. He had to succumb to the wishes of the pro-democratic movement in the country, which was for more than one political organisation. A rubber-stamp parliament had to approve the existence of political parties for the first time in a move that was seen as a positive step in the right direction.
Gayoom has accepted the outcome with grace, which is commendable. The attitude of the new leader is more commendable because he has said that he will not go for "witch hunting" but for strengthening democracy and implementing the election pledges for the betterment of the people.
Nasheed's Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) operated for long from Sri Lanka, since political parties other than President Gayoom's organisation had been outlawed. Nasheed was among four activists arrested last year, but was later released. He returned to the country after self-exile for 18-months, and made it clear that he would not relent until Maldives introduced multi-party democracy.
At least three parties, including the MDP and President Gayoom's Maldivian People's Party registered themselves after the parliament opened the way for a multi-party political system.
When political opponents of Gayoom came under repression, civil societies in the South Asian region did not turn a blind eye to the developments in one of the region's smallest nations because the issue of representative authority was inextricably linked with the unrest in the Maldives.
The small but attractive land was convulsed by demands for democratic rule since the undemocratic pattern of governance had continued for long. Initially, Gayoom was not known for iron-fisted rule, or as a tough dictator. In fact, he has a sober and gentle image abroad.
President Gayoom is not unknown in the international arena, and he has particularly played an active role in the growth and development of Saarc, which earned him admiration in the region. He is the only head of state in the Saarc who has attended all the summits, and is a founder-leader of the regional forum.
Gayoom, known for his scholarly qualities, will go down in history as a successful leader -- notwithstanding the fact that he lost the first democratic elections in the Maldives. Male was to host the last Saarc summit, but the venue was shifted because the country would be busy with the national elections.
Ironically, the leader who took part in all the 15 summits of Saarc leaders cannot attend when it will be held in his own country. Certainly, the South Asian leaders will miss Gayoom, who rendered significant contribution to the growth and development of the Saarc.
But, during the long rule of Gayoom, corruption engulfed many areas of the country. He has certainly turned this relatively obscure nation of only three lakh people, known for fishing and weak economy, into one with a strong economic footing and international identity. But absence of democracy, a sense of complacency, and many ills including corruption, changed the hearts of the people, which was reflected in the voting.
Political dissidents came under repression -- even the respected Ibrahim Zaki, a former secretary general of the Saarc, was not spared. Nasheed was particularly harassed, and the people have now chosen him as their new leader. The Maldivians clearly looked for a change, which they have brought about.
Definitely, the new leader will face many challenges after the departure of a benevolent dictator who, after all, gave democratic polls, lost, accepted the outcome with grace and assured the new authority of support in further developing the nation. Nasheed needs to truly strengthen the new-found democracy and also ensure a good governance.
The omens are positive for him, and there is no reason why he cannot accomplish it against the background of electoral verdict, although the task is not easy one. Maldive is like an oasis in the otherwise largely volatile South Asian region. The nation must go forward in all spheres, and it is the expectation of all that the new authority will not disappoint the people.

Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury is a senior journalist and analyst of international affairs.