Athif Shakoor writes on what Maldives' presidential election meant to Maldivians versus "foreigners"

...Yes, Maldivians are indeed aware of the influence of geo-politics. We do want the power of self-determination preserved. We do not look forward to our civics being decreed by our Indian neighbours. Nor do we look forward to our destination being bound by the exigencies of the Chinese Belt and Roads Initiative. We would want to be friends and allies to both. We hope that they, and the rest of our Western ‘friends’, respect, advice and inform us. Then allow us to forge our own destination. That’s true.  

Let’s be clear about that.

However, the ballot decisions of Maldivians are determined mostly by our daily grind, the lived life of our citizens. Essential housing. The opportunity to be employed and to earn. The exploitation of our limited natural resources. The utter waste of the meagre state resources, even while the average ‘Aadhanu’ is unable to pay rent and utilities. Blatant excessive corruption, denial of basic rights, transgressions of politicians and their in-laws not being punished. Would they continue and become a cultural milieu particular to us?

These are the issues that determine much of our ballot choice... READ MORE from The Daily FT which is Sri Lanka’s first and only national daily business paper.