Election News

President Gayoom held a rare news conference today. It was interesting to watch the relationship between this chief executive and the press corps. There's no such thing as a White House press room. The press comes when invited and there is the expected level of security. You check your cellphone at the screening point and get it back after the news conference.

This event began with the president solemnly signing a bill to remove the ban on campaigning outside of the official "campaign time." This simply recognizes that many candidates are already campaigning because no one knows exactly when the election will be and no one wants to be unprepared to get their message to the voters throughout the islands.

Mr. Gayoom took questions for more than 30 minutes and even cracked a joke or two. The reporters here are much less aggressive than their US counterparts, but asked some tough questions on such issues as the nation's budget shortfall and whether it is fair for Gayoom to get media exposure for his state duties, as well as his campaign activities.

There are a few kinks to be worked out before the president ratifies the new constitution. Bills must be prepared to assure that the police and the army will still have authority during and after the transition. Then, an election commission must be appointed so that the election process can go forward. Everyone is racing the clock: a new president must be elected by Oct. 10 and there can be no campaigning during September, which is the Muslim fasting month of Ramazan. There is a lot of maneuvering behind the scenes to clear the way for an election date in late August.