Council election: MDP accuses PNC of buying votes
Waheed called on the Elections Commission to ensure that the local council elections are conducted in a fair manner.
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has accused the government of offering money to candidates in order to secure seats in the upcoming local council elections.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, MDP campaign spokesperson Abdulla Waheed said the Progressive National Congress (PNC) is taking advantage of the delay in announcing the election schedule. He said the Elections Commission (EC) has not made the timeline public and that there is no information on the deadline for candidate withdrawals.
Waheed said this lack of clarity allows the government to withdraw candidates it does not want to contest. He alleged that candidates who had already submitted nominations in some constituencies are being withdrawn after being offered high payments.
The MDP noted that the PNC has so far secured 10 council seats without an election, as no other candidates are contesting those seats. The party alleged that individuals who had earlier planned to run were persuaded to withdraw.
Seats secured by the PNC without a vote include the council president positions in Baarah and Utheemu in Haa Alifu Atoll, Dhiggaru and Omadhoo in Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, the women members’ positions of Baa Eydhafushi Council, and eight out of 10 seats in Thaa Vilufushi Council and its Women’s Development Committee.
Waheed also alleged that the PNC publishes information that has not been released by the EC. He said this is possible because the PNC has access to EC data with the approval of the commission.
He said the party is not aware of how or when the election timeline will be announced, including the deadline for re-registration.
Waheed called on the Elections Commission to ensure that the local council elections are conducted in a fair manner.
