Independent presidential candidate Faris Maumoon has pledged to reduce the price of essential services and staple foods under his administration. He published his manifesto at a special function held at Sultan Park.
The manifesto focuses on socio-economic and religious issues. The manifesto also includes policies to increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), rehabilitate criminals, tax reform, and increase the salaries of local councils.
Speaking at the function, Faris said that his manifesto includes policies to bring major changes to different sectors. He also noted that citizens are apprehensive over the decisions made by political parties in the short democratic history of the country.
One of the policies in the manifesto concerns the establishment of a mechanism to more easily remove parliamentarians who are not serving the interests of their constituents. Faris said that he will establish means by which constituents can submit petitions to remove their parliamentarian and to vote for a new one through a by-election.
Additionally, Faris said he is able to make such a pledge as his party does not have any parliamentary representatives, adding that other candidates would not be able to make such remarks as the parliamentarians in their party would not allow it. He also said that he decided to prioritise parliamentary reform after listening to the concerns of citizens and recognising the need for policies that serve the interest of the people.