'GO VOTE' Campaign holds public forum to Air citizens' concerns

Organisations of the Go Vote campaign,  including Maldives Aid, held their first public forum in Malé on Wednesday evening (23/7/08). The theme of the forum was 'Preparing for a Free and Fair Election' and included a lively discussion of voting rights, the importance of democracy and electoral processes.  A Question & Answer session followed to allow the audience to share their concerns for the 2008 presidential elections, including the role of the media and the threat of violence and bribery.

 Taking part in the panel discussion and Q&A session were:

• Mohamed Shafaz Wajeeh, Director of Legal Affairs, Human Rights Commision of Maldives
• Ahmed Muiz MP, Independent MP and President Hama Jamiyya
• Mohamed Shihab MP, Independent MP
• Mohamed Anil, Legal Reform Commissioner

The discussion was chaired by  Mohamed Shahdy Anwar of Transparency Maldives, one of the eight organisations running the Go Vote campaign along with Maldives Aid.

The 'Go Vote' campaign calls on Maldivians to participate in the country's upcoming first multi-candidate election and exercise their right to choose the next president. It will provide a platform to explore specific issues of concern such as voter registration, election observation and the role of key institutions in the run-up to the 2008 elections

The campaign, which will last until the week before the presidential election, promotes voter awareness through a series of forums and music concerts, posters, TV and radio programs, and the dissemination of voter education booklets. Special programs for the youth, more than 25 percent of the eligible voting population, will also be carried out.

'Go Vote' promises to be an educational, informative, and lively campaign.