The governing party, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has achieved considerable success in the country’s first multiparty parliamentary elections and that the results would provide the opportunity for the government to straighten itself and focus on its objectives, President’s office Press Secretary Mohamed Zuhair has said.

In a special interview granted to media, Press Secretary Zuhair revealed that results of the parliamentary elections gave the government a high percentage of success. He said he welcomed results saying that results demonstrated the decision of the people. He further said the results paved the way for a parliament under a full presidential system of governance.

He said once the new parliament is convened the government would continue its work with the parliament to fill its electoral pledges.

“The present government is a coalition government; the government is established as a coalition government, this coalition government is most capable to perform and govern and to meet the expectations of the people” he said. He further emphasized despite some minor differences, the coalition is still intact and strong.

He rejected allegations that government exerted influence on the historic parliamentary elections and insisted that the campaign carried out by MDP was in fact carried out by the party. He also said if the government wanted and exerted influences it would have achieved better results.

Angry protestors who gathered at the main elections headquarters located at Nasandhura Palace Hotel Building have called on the Election Commission (EC) to annul the election results. They said the people had no confidence in the results.

The protestors expressed anger and dissatisfaction over the long delay in announcing the election results by the commission. They also accused the commission of trying to alter the results.

Angry protestors, by the hundreds, after several demands to meet the commission officials met Vice President of the Election Commission Hussain Shiraj, who informed them to submit their complaints to National Elections Complaints Bureau. However, the protestors argued that complaints may be submitted to the bureau but that the bureau would take a long time to address the matter and that they wanted immediate action and urgent action.

Protestors also informed the EC Vice President Shiraj that some government ministers and state ministers gained access to polling stations on the Election Day by using Observer Passes.

EC Vice President Shiraj responding to the claims claimed that Observer Passes were given to political parties irrespective of who would be using it.

Some 500 protesters gathered at the main election headquarters on Sunday night at 2300 hours. Police officers arrived on site and took control of the situation.

The governing Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the main opposition Dhivehi Rahyithunge Party (DRP) are claiming to have secured a parliamentary majority.

Speaking to media, Deputy Leader of DRP, Ahmed Thasmeen Ali said his party is confident of winning majority of seats in parliament. Thasmeen, who is leading in the Baa atoll Kendhoo constituency, said initial results show that the combined victories of DRP, People’s Alliance (PA) and the party’s endorsed independent candidates will give his party a majority.