President Waheed calls for more youth and female candidates in future elections

President Dr Mohamed Waheed has called for more youth candidates, especially female candidates, to run in future elections. The President made this remark while speaking to the people of Kaafu Huraa, as part of his visit to the island today.

Noting that the youth always desires change, the President said that considering the current state of the country, especially those working in the tourism sector want to see a faster progressing Maldives. Stressing the importance of ensuring modern living and a better life for the people, the President said that the services can be delivered at a speedier rate only if the people worked together with the government. He further said that suggestions and support of the youth was especially important to the government.

Highlighting the role of women in the development of the island, the President underlined the need to strengthen Women’s Councils in the islands, and emphasized the necessity to find means of income generation for them. The President said that it could only be done with the participation from youth and women.

In his speech, the President noted that the work done by leaders of the island communities in the Maldives have achieved remarkable progress for the islands. Speaking in this regard, the President said that there were a number of notable islands in the Maldives with an active community, who have worked with unity and cooperation to realize their aspirations. Pointing out that Huraa was one such island with a population which consists of people of different opinions, the President commended the Huraa community for their unified work towards achieving their developmental goals despite the differences within them.

In his speech, the President highlighted the difficult state the country was in at the time of his assumption of office. He said that the efforts made have paid off, with conflicts being resolved and stability being restored in the country.

As part of his visit to the island, President Dr Mohamed Waheed met with the Huraa Island Council, and inquired on the different developmental projects currently underway, and those that were planned for the future.