The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has secured 130,000 votes for the September 9 presidential election, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said on Tuesday, expressing confidence of winning re-election in the first round.
Support has grown for the MDP because the government focused on delivering pledges and avoided political instability, which would have derailed development projects, Solih said at a campaign rally in Raa Angolhitheemu.
"What I'm seeing on all islands is that people don't want to go back to the tyranny and fear that prevailed before, that they're ready to go forward with the work started to develop islands," Solih said, noting that he would have visited all inhabited islands by the end of the campaign.
Governing with the involvement of people with different ideologies is most beneficial to the country, he said, assuring the participation of the MDP's coalition partners Adhaalath Party (AP) and Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) in the next administration.
"I have complete certainty of taking this election in one round. Even assuming that 90 percent of the people will vote, we have secured 130,000 votes even today. This is not a number that any rival can reach in the future," the president said.
Water, sewerage and reliable electricity are being assured for all islands, he said, pledging to carry out development projects without any discrimination.
Citing plans for increasing prosperity and expanding the economy, Solih said none of the other candidates has proposed a manifesto that could compete with the MDP's manifesto.
Pledges for Angolhitheemu
- Relocating harbor entrance and building a T-jetty
- Developing a swimming area
- Protecting the coastline from beach erosion
- Building three main roads and outer roads with asphalt
- Building a new council office
- Developing a handball court
- Establishing a police post
