Pharoah Golhabo I and the Voters from the Dead :: Maldives News :: Editorial:: Dhivehi Observer

Editorial

Pharoah Golhabo I and the Voters from the Dead

Dhivehi Observer, 9 August 2007

"I am a Great One, the son of a Great One. [I am] Fire, the son of Fire, to whom was given his head after it had been cut off. The head of Osiris was not removed from his body, and the head of Osiris Ani shall not be removed from his body. I have knitted myself together, I have made myself whole and complete. I shall renew my youth. I am Osiris Himself, the Lord of Eternity.’ - From the Egyptian Book of the Dead

According to the religious beliefs of Ancient Egypt, death was an extension of life elsewhere and that too a better version of it. The Ancient Egyptians believed that they would be able to eat, drink and share good companionship even after they are dead. Several thousand years later, we Maldivians voted in Maumoon Abdul Gayoom as our President, believing that his only connection with Egypt is that he was educated there. Little did we realize that far from being the pious Muslim that he pretends to be, he has had us completely fooled. That is until now. We now know that he actually follows the religious practices of the Pharoahs (Firuaunu). Perhaps he thinks he is a Pharaoh. He certainly acts like one.

Either that, or he is trying to rig the referendum on the 18^th of August 2007.

How else could he explain the names of hundreds of deceased Maldivians who are still on the official electoral roll, some who had passed away more than twenty years ago? Unless of course the Dictator is an ardent follower of the ancient Egyptian religion and strongly believed that the dead could and would vote in the referendum.

However, those who do not follow the religion of the Pharaohs (Firuaunu) are extremely concerned and distressed that their loved ones are on the list. Many have complained to the authorities and the election commissioner raising this issue but as yet no action has been taken.

Firuaunu Golhabo (in Hieroglyphics)

Abdul Majid Abdul Wahhab, a Maldivian living in New Zealand, has put the matter on record by officially writing a letter to the Commissioner of Elections on the 7th of August to let him know that both his deceased parents are on the list. He wrote, "Before the referendum is even held, it looks like its validity could legally be challenged. It is a frightening testament to computerised record-keeping, if people who are long dead were given the right to vote in a national referendum anywhere in the world." Similarly, Shamin from Addu also confirmed that he and his family are extremely saddened by this matter. "Even my grandmother's name is on the list. She passed away 5 years ago". DO Editor in Chief, Ahmed Moosa (Sappe')'s father late Ibrahim Moosa, M. Maafusheege, Male' died in 1997 but his name is also still on the electoral roll. These are but a few examples. Several more have complained in the last few days.

Of course, if the dictator does not follow the religion of the Ancient Egyptians, then clearly the only other possible explanation for the names of the dead to be on the electoral roll is that it is an outrageous attempt to rig the upcoming referendum. According to some Maldivian political analysts this is nothing new. This is a "tried and tested" formula by the Dictator in previous elections. By getting the "dead to vote" he has been able to acquire hundreds of votes that he otherwise would not have received. As such they expect the dead to vote for a Presidential system this time as well.

While some of the dictator’s cronies may try to justify this as just an administrative oversight or a computer glitch, it is difficult to accept so. How can one dismiss this as an administrative shortcoming when the Election Commissioner K.D. Ahmed Maniku’s deceased mother the late Fuhlaa Hawwa Fulhu’s name is on the list at No 6991 (Hawwa Ibrahim. H.Shady Grow), right next to his own name? Surely K.D Ahmed Maniku will know better than anyone when his beloved mother passed away and her name would be one of the first to be taken off the list? He had claimed that "It is the family’s responsibility to report deaths, hand in an identity card, and have names removed from a resident’s list," Then why has he not done so? If it is pure incompetence then he should resign straight away.

No. K.D Ahmed Maniku is no bungling fool. Her name is there because he clearly expects her vote to count. Whether he would be voting on her behalf or whether he too practices the religion of the Ancient Egyptians and therefore expects her to vote on her own accord remains to be seen.

Perhaps Fathimath Nisreen of the Sandhaanu fame was right after all when she allegedly said that Gayoom is a Firuaunu (Pharoah)!

click here to visit kobaaNet