Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Maniku, a legitimate President?

The third President of the second Republic of the Maldives, Mr. Mohamed Nasheed was forced to step down, after what appeared to be a historic Mutiny of the Maldivian Police Service. Nasheed resigned in his office, in front of media and on television, people of the island nation witnessed Nasheed as he humbly said those words,

 "I resign because I am not a person who wished to rule with the use of power ... I believe that if the government were to remain in power it would require the use of force which would harm many citizens". 

Second in command that day in Maldives was Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Maniku. 

Elected Vice President

2008 was perhaps the most important year in modern Maldivian history. The first ever Multi Party democratic elections were held in the country, after a 30 year long autocratic rule by then President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. A nation stood divided, Pro-Gayoom supporter on one side and Anti-Gayoom elements on the other. 

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the first registered political Party in the country, the beginning of the modern democratic movement in the country, nominated Nasheed after a party primary.

Dr. Waheed was then (and still remains) leader of the minority political faction, Gaumee Ittihaad, that emerged out of MDP. He himself  also had declared his intentions to run for the Presidency. 

Nasheed making the friendly gesture to his old colleague, invited Dr. Waheed as a running mate. After the first rounds of election, it was a battle between Gayoom and Nasheed. Naturally all political organisation other than that of Gayoom's Dhivehi Rayithunge Party (DRP) and his younger brother Yameen's Peoples Alliance, joined hand in hand and allied behind Nasheed.

With a united alliance, Nasheed won the elections and became the first democratically elected President of the Country. Dr. Waheed being the running mate, became the first elected Vice President of the Country. read more