Running mates are now almost in place for the presidential candidates who have announced their candidacy in the upcoming presidential elections. Maumoon first announced his running mate, Thasmeen Ali, who is very much of a loyalist to him and therfore a shadow to him. Then it was Gasim who made the announcement, Ahmed Ali Sawad, a PhD student who is new to the country and the reform and democracy movement, who simply makes Gasim himself the candidate and the running mate. It was followed by Hassan Saeed, who chose his friend and colleague Dr. Shaheed to run with him, putting forth more of an equal mate. Finally Anni announced Dr. Waheed, “the earlier reformist” who is “a well-know figure” and in a way a senior to him.
It would be interesting to see how the choice and the timing of the announcement of running mates affect the pole position of the candidates. The reality is that Maldivian political demography has matured, and however much a political figure is well-knowN or popular, is not any guarantee that will make it easier to sell him for a pole position – not anymore. It is those who can identify with, and merge with the pulse of the grassroots that would get votes. This has been very clear from the pictures emerging from the ever dynamic political landscape within the country, last three weeks or so. Though popularity and money will play a part, it would be substance and conviction that would lead the vote, in my opinion. I believe the will of the people will prevail, and that it would be an informed and calculated decision by the majority of the people. Who will win, depends on who can convince the people of this and build momentum upto October 8th.
Anni and Maumoon are believed in the pole position for now followed by Gasim and Hassan. Yet, the fast paced momentum of changes makes uncertainty the certainty of the day.
Smile and Let Smile 
Anonymous
September 23, 2008 at 7:43 am
ހަގީގަތުގަ ސާބެ (އަންނި ގެ ކޮއްކޮ ޔަކާ އިދެގެން އުޅޭ) ވޯޓް ދިނީ މައުމޫނަށް . އަލީ ފާއިޒު އާއި ފުއާދު ތައުފީގު ވޯޓް ދެއްވީ މައުމޫނާ އިދިކޮޅަށް . ތިބޭފުޅުން އައްސަވާ ފުއާދު ކާރިން.. އަންނި ހަދާފަ އޮތް ޑީލް ގެ ދަށުން ސާބެ އަށް މަޖުބުރުވީ މައުމޫނަށް ކުރިމަތި ލެވޭ ގޮތައް ވޯޓް ދޭން.. އަޅުގަޑު މި ރޯދަމަހު ހިފި ހުރިހާ ރޯދައެއް އެއީ ރޯދައެއް ނޫން މި ބުނި ވާހަކަޔަކީ މިކަމުގެ ހަގީގަތް ނޫނިއްޔާމު. އައްސަވާ.. ބައްލަވާ. އަދި އެއްފަހަރު ވިސްނަވާ. އޭރުން އަޅުގަޑު މިބުނީ ތެދު ކަން އެގޭނެ.
Anonymous
September 19, 2008 at 2:43 pm
As Maldives dawns in to a new ear of a multiparty democracy, Qasim has selected a running mate with sound academic background. A new face, which is spotless with strong ethics and legal background. Someone whose hardships and struggle in life is exemplary to others. Someone who believes that the foundation of the society lies in the family and role of parents. Someone without a history of blessed government scholarships or gained any position of authority through cronyism. Someone who did not abuse the human rights of our fellow citizens after returning from legal studies.Only such people can give Qasim and the nation a good future. Only such persons can assit Mr.Qasim to deliver his promises and pledges and the people of the Maldives all the benefits of the new constitution.May Allah bless this country with a benevolent leader like Qasim Ibrahim – truly an example of kindness, compassion and tolerance.
Anonymous
September 18, 2008 at 8:03 pm
We are voting Gasim.Old people from islands are voting Maumoon.Lato fatos voting Anni.