Ali Azim promises smart city, 50% cut in electricity bills if elected mayor

Former MP Ali Azim, who is seeking the opposition MDP’s ticket for the Malé mayoral race, on Thursday pledged to turn the capital into a smart city and reduce electricity bills by 50 percent if elected.

Speaking at a rally held at Artificial Beach, Ali Azim outlined several policies from his manifesto. His main pledge was to introduce a smart city model for Malé.

“I have a plan to make this city a smart city. Then you will see fewer incidents of fighting, theft and robbery. You should always monitor this place 24 hours a day,” he said.

He added: “If you move to a smart city, your electricity bill will be reduced by 50 percent.”

Ali Azim did not elaborate on how the city would be transformed into a smart city but said he would reveal further details in the days ahead.

Other proposals he listed included:

He said his broader goal was to expand economic freedom for residents of the capital.

“Economic freedom is a freedom that everyone should have. I want to give that freedom to the people of Malé,” he said.

Ali Azim said he was confident his ideas could be implemented and that work on his proposals had already begun.

During his remarks, he criticised incumbent Mayor Adam Azim and President Mohamed Muizzu, alleging that Adam Azim was helping to conceal corruption committed during Muizzu’s mayoral tenure. He said that if elected, he would investigate the issues.