In what may be the world's most picturesque election, ballot boxes are being distributed across the 1,200 island nation of The Maldives ready for voting next week.
Some 250 of the islands are inhabited, home to 370,000 people and some of the world's best hotels. Two presidential hopefuls have been travelling between them, meeting and greeting voters. The current president Mamoun Abdul Gayoom, 71 years old,has led the country for three decades and is finally seeking a democratic mandate. He is being challenged by Mohammed Nasheed, a former political prisoner.
Gayoom is credited with overseeing The Maldives' rise to prosperity and viable nationhood, based on the tourist trade. Yet, in the first round of the presidential poll he was opposed on grounds of cronyism, with challengers arguing that his personal connections have prosered unfairly. There is also mounting discontent as a result of drug abuse and widening wealth disparities. Many citizens feel it is time for a change, and Gayoom - Asia's longest serving ruler - could be t out.
If so, expect some trouble, as vested interests come to terms with losing privileged access to the state. It might not have been this way. Gayoom faced a fragmented opposition in the first round, with votes split between many different parties. He hoped to be able to carry the poll on the first attempt. But by failing to win the requisite 50% of votes, the opposition has been able to rally around his new opponent, who must now be the clear favourite.
Source: www.oxan.com
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