In his first Presidential Address to the People’s Majlis, President Mohamed Waheed has said that if an early election is required, he would do everything possible to bring together all political leaders to discuss Constitutional amendments.
“This is the time for all of us to work together in one spirit, the time to bring political differences to the discussion table in order to formulate solutions”, said the President.
Continuing in this regard, President Waheed said that his highest priority would be to uphold the Constitution and ensure that rule of law prevails within the country.
He said:
“I fully assure you that I will not order anyone to act against the Constitution or laws of this country”.
He further reiterated that his government would not interfere with the work of the Judiciary or intervene in the affairs of any independent institution.
In his Presidential Address, President Waheed also gave details of the damages caused during the political unrest in the country on February 8. He said the cost of destruction to Island Councils, buildings under the care of these councils, homes of citizens, and police stations was estimated at more than One Hundred and Eighty Million Rufiyaa. He also said that the loss of archived records of the people of Addu, maintained by the institutions of the Judiciary in Addu City, was “immeasurable”.
Speaking more on the need to uphold the rule of law in the country, President Waheed said the benefits of the Constitution accepted by the people of Maldives in 2008 “could only be attained to the extent that it has been implemented”.
In this regard, he said work still remained to be done to strengthen institutions created by the Constitution; to uphold and sustain principles outlined in the constitution; develop necessary human resources; and, formulate laws required to implement the constitution.