News

Development can be achieved without opposition support: President

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has said that even without the cooperation from local councils with opposition majority, the government would bring development to various regions of the country.

The President made the statement at a ruling coalition meeting held Monday night, his first remarks on the local council elections. 

Referring to the Local Council Election, the President said that lessons need to be learnt from the outcome of the election. Noting the strength of the demographic of eligible voters stand at 250,000, President Yameen said that when representatives are elected for local governance, voter turnout needs to be taken into account.

The President said that of every ten eligible voters in Male' CIty, just three turned out for the election. President Yameen said that his administration is the first administration to rule within the prescribed system of governance, based on good values. He also applauded the 2017 Local Council Election as the freest and fairest election held in the country so far. He reiterated that even without the assistance from local councils with opposition majority, the government would bring development to various regions of the country. He further questioned what the opposition has achieved with majority in the local councils.

President Yameen said that the ruling party does not only vie the presidency, but also works towards alleviating difficulties faced by citizens.