It was only six months ago that I sat in a small, dark room with Maldivian opposition leaders who doubted they would ever be shown on TVM. What a difference now! Reporters crowded around candidates from all parties, seeking soundbites. And for the first time there is competitive TV news coverage, with both DhiTV and VTV represented.
Most of the major opposition leaders had a high profile at the constitution signing event. Of course, there is still a lot of concern about continued favoritism of the president, and like politicians everywhere, they want to present their entire program and not just a soundbite on the evening news.
I'm told that the president personally called opposition leaders and invited them to be here. After the national holiday euphoria is over, the campaign really gets down to business, with the nation's first presidential debate planned for Monday Aug. 11. It is sponsored by the neutral voter education program Think Nation and will be aired on TVM live. At least three candidates have already accepted, so we hope to confirm both President Gayoom and MDP leader Mohammed Nasheed (Anni). Any candidate who declines will be represented by an empty chair.
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