Independent presidential candidate Ahmed Faris Maumoon launched his manifesto on Sunday night with a pledge for approving a long-term national development plan through a public referendum.
The manifesto of candidate number six Faris and his running mate Dr. Abdul Sattar Yoosuf includes several pledges in 15 areas with the goal of sustainable development.
One of the main pledges in Faris' manifesto is formulating a long-term national development plan to be passed in a public referendum.
Once the plan is approved, political party manifestos, the elected government's policies and development projects must not conflict with the long-term plan.
Notable pledges
Religion
- Empowering the Fatwa Council
- Closing brothels operating as spas
- Blocking porn websites
Good governance
- Approving a long-term plan through a public referendum
- Appointing capable technocrats to the cabinet
- Recalling MPs through a public no-confidence vote
- Determining qualifications for MPs
- Downsizing parliament in proportion to the population
Cost of living and taxation
- Lowering cost of water, electricity and staple foodstuff
- Increasing availability of affordable housing
- Reducing goods and services tax (GST) to 3 percent
- Eliminating import duties
Reforming offenders
- Establishing halfway houses to conduct rehabilitation programs
- Offering special rehabilitation programs for women
- Strengthening non-custodial measures
- Making jailing a last resort
Education sector
- Setting up a virtual national library for all students
- Reviewing and modernizing the national education curriculum
- Offering mental health care to all students
- Conducting special classes on the dangers of drugs
Faris is the son of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who ruled the country for 30 years. Both were expelled from the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) during the administration of Maumoon's half-brother former President Abdulla Yameen after the siblings fell out.
After losing the PPM leadership dispute in court, Maumoon set up and ran a party called the Maldives Reform Movement (MRM) for the past five years.
But the Elections Commission (EC) decided to dissolve the largely inactive party earlier this year. The EC decided to dissolve MRM after the party's membership fell below the minimum 3000 required by law. A legal challenge of the EC decision is ongoing in court.
Faris served as MP for Dhiggaru during the 18th parliament. He ran for the Machchangoalhi Uthuru constituency in the 19th parliament but failed to win the election.
