The second round of the presidential elections is over and so is its anticlimax finale. It will take a week for the elections commission to announce the obvious though the head of the current regime (as we like to call it) has conceded defeat to the leader of the opposition who won the elections with a clear majority.
Amidst the calm and the quiet that followed the announcement of the election results, the most fascinating thing that struck me was that I had a valid reason to be proud to be a Maldivian. [I have always argued against this slogan by President Maumoon, for reason I have explained in earlier blogposts here.]
The peace and the tranquility that is our heritage was at play on that day and it was enhanced by the true colors of the winners of the day. The true colors of Anni and Maumoon shocked the world in disbelief. Their collective wisdom and character in unprecedented for the history of bitterness they shared.
I was most impressed by how Maumoon, being an uncontestable leader for thirty years, conceded defeat and publicly gave his support for a peaceful transfer of power to the president-elect; as well as his simple response (“the problem of 30 years”) for why he lost the elections.
Anni’s call to the people to show humility in winning and to have strength in loosing, is examplary of an activist-turned-head-of-state. He also brought a new paradigm to the tranfer process and beyond, when he said that past rulers are an important institution of the nation.
I salute both men for their love of this nation. Now is Anni’s turn to lead the people, uninterrupted by friends and family. It will be for the future historians to determine who is the champion of our liberal democracy!
Anni and Maumoon won the game! Will the People?
Listen to Anni’s first statement to the media here.
Smile and Let Smile 
Anonymous
November 3, 2008 at 2:27 pm
I wonder wether is it a sin to be a fan of some one or even a political party? whats wrong being a fan of DRP? after all its also a registered political party in this country.MDP,JP, AP or phD party suporters shouldn`t expect that entire population of Maldives should be joining them. If that happens political pluralism will vanish. so let there be fans of DRP as there are fans of Alliance.
Anonymous
November 2, 2008 at 6:54 pm
WHAT CALM, TWO YOUNG BOYS HAVE BEEN MURDERED. NOBODY IS TALKING ABOUT IT MAYBE FOR THE FEAR OF BACKLASH AND RIOTS
Anonymous
November 2, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Shihab was a fan of DRP.
M Shahdy
November 2, 2008 at 4:09 pm
whether the people won will depend on how things pan out in the next ‘100 days’…it is heartening to see that the political scene is very calm since the election and i really do hope that it continues to be, although if it does not, how ever strong the institutions are, we the people will be loosers – although i have to admit, i am pretty hopeful!
thadu
November 1, 2008 at 11:32 pm
i will do what ever i can to bring gayyoom in front of justice. it is not for revange, and it is not a feeling of vengeance in my heart. but is it not democracy to bring such people to justice?
Anonymous
November 1, 2008 at 11:24 am
anni called gayoom in the early hours of dawn and got the old dictator to concede defeat. the old bastard was having a meeting with the security forces to foil the election, declare emergency and continue his tyrannical rule. this old man must be punished.
Anonymous
November 1, 2008 at 6:38 am
Don’t be naive, Mr. Shihab. Why are we commending Gayyoom for doing the only (legal) thing there was to be done? i.e. concede and facilitate a smooth transition.Oh, then again, I guess it is praiseworthy that he did something lawful after living “above the law” for 30 years.
Anonymous
October 31, 2008 at 5:19 pm
I would like to remind, at this juncture, to all my brothers and sisters who suported Anni and Maumoon that “No calamity befalls on earth or in yourselves but it is inscribed in the Book of Decree (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz) before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allah.(22) In order that you may not grieve at the things that you fail to get, nor rejoice over that which has been given to you. And Allah likes not prideful boasters.(23)[Surah57]This is the moment we all have to exercise our strong belief and prove that we all can live together enjoying all the oneness we have inherited as ONE community, ONE race, ONE religion, ONE culture,ONE language.