Gasim Ibrahim launched his campaign for the presidential bid Friday night with a series of unprecedented promises to make a turnaround for the ordinary people of the Maldives. Gasim’s campaign gives the presidential race an ultimate high with the more serious candidates now forced to look to the future rather than bickering of the past.

Gasim’s presidential bid also means that Maumoon and Anni are shaken at the roots for a guarantee of the seat of President. The campaigns of both of them had turned serious and more focused with the final announcement by Gasim to run for the presidency. Anni has recently made an unprecedented turn around with a lighter heart and a more wholesome and inclusive approach to leadership. Maumoon’s campaign team seem to be stuck with the past, and still not able to get out of a coma of vengeance, just as Anni showed he has matured out of it.

It is very clear that the race is going to be fought neck-to-neck only by three – Anni, Gasim and Maumoon; provided Hassan is not able to gain momentum in his tracks. Hassan’s presidential bid lacks committed institutional support which may see him pushed out of the line-up of serious front runners in the race.

While each of the men seem to be giving it their best shot to convince the nation that he is the most capable and trustworthy candidate, Anni seems to have shown the ability to bring the most drastic changes to how the people perceive him. He has shown that he is worthy of respect by his fellow opponents as well!

And the winner is ….. ?