Analyzing the Political and Democratic History of the Maldives

This report provides an analysis of the political and democratic history of the Maldives, starting with the 1968 referendum and the subsequent shift to a presidential democracy. It highlights the challenges faced, including the issue of despotism and the geo-strategic divide between pro-New Delhi and pro-Beijing factions. The report also discusses the potential benefits of transitioning to a parliamentary election system, emphasizing that it would give a voice to all sections of the country, including minorities, and provide a broader range of choices. The report references relevant sources to support its claims and offers a comprehensive overview of the country's political landscape.

Political and Democratic history of Maldives
In the year 1968 referendum came in existence with an intention to validate the constitution of
Maldives. Since then this country followed Precedential democracy. This country has a history
of popular leaders who acted as the president however failed in delivering their promises. In the
year 2008, another change in the constitution converted this country into a “Multi-party
presidential election driven country.” A failure in revamping or empowering the “rubber stamp
Judiciary” and “maintenance of a healthy press freedom index” can be attributed as the major
problems in the implementation of a healthy democracy in this country (J.Robinson, 2019).
The major democratic problems in front of the Maldives
The international media blamed one of the elected presidents Mohammad Nasheed with the
charges of despotism. One of the biggest problems that this country is facing right now can be
considered as a geo-strategic divide of opinions. A strong fraction of this country is in the favor
of Pro-New Delhi policies, whereas a big section of the masses is in the favor of Pre-Beijing
policies (Lintner, 2019).
A shift in the democratic practices can bring democracy closer to the answer the major
issues
The Maldives can pass another referendum in the favor of Parliamentary elections. Under the
setup of Presidential elections, the real voice of people can sometimes find oblivion because of
the majority votes cast under the realms of the limited choices. The charges of despotism

indicate the same, it shows that the variance of the public opinion is present but it is not finding a
voice.
The election of parliamentarian democracy will allow the voice of every nook and cranny of the
country in the mainstream. This exercise will also allow the people of the country to have
multiple choices and radical views will also find a space in the democratic setup while holding
the posts of responsibility. The current practices related to the presidential electoral processes are
creating big huge blank space for the voices pertaining to the minorities. This is not a sign of
healthy democracy; the parliamentarian democracy will enable the elected voices by the minority
groups to reverberate in the power corridors and create a balance that can wash away the tarnish
caused by the charges of despotism.

References
J.Robinson. (2019). The Maldives has another shot at democracy – but it needs help. The
Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/sep/25/maldives-
democracy-abdulla-yameen.
Lintner, B. (2019). Maldives democracy has a geo-strategic twist. Asia News,
https://www.asiatimes.com/2019/02/article/maldives-democracy-has-a-geo-strategic-
twist/.