Comment: The audacity of dictatorship

There’s a sense of foreboding in the air as Male’ waits for the Elections Commission’s decision on whether they are going to defy the Supreme Court’s unconstitutional ruling to indefinitely delay the election scheduled for tomorrow.

Yesterday, Fuwad Thowfeek, the president of the Elections Commission was adamant that he will hold the second round tomorrow as scheduled, despite the Supreme Court injunction. This gave immense hope to Maldivians committed to the restoration of democracy, and several gathered at Raalhugandu for a final MDP rally ahead of voting on Saturday. The mood at the rally was slightly less cheerful than the usual MDP dos with several talkers highlighting the need to vote “come what may.”

Mohamed Nasheed, ever the optimist and the tireless activist-leader who lifts everyone’s spirits, sought to reassure supporters that voting would go ahead. Yet, he spoke of the need for everyone from nurses and teachers to boy scouts and girl guides to watch the vote boxes, to be mindful of the  ballot papers, leaving it unsaid that if the Elections Commission makes the brave decision to go ahead with the election, it would be without the support of crucial state institutions.