MDP accuses govt of bribery to ‘buy’ candidates in polls
According to Hussain, the PNC has not secured votes through policy proposals and has instead relied on other means.
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The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has accused the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) of offering large sums of money to opposition candidates contesting the upcoming council elections.
Speaking at a press conference, MDP Deputy Spokesperson Hussain Hassan said on Wednesday that the party had observed attempts to influence candidates during the nomination period.
“We notice that millions of MVR are being offered to buy opposition candidates contesting against the government. During the opportunity to nominate candidates, we are noticing that the government is making offers to those candidates. That is the campaign the government is conducting,” Hussain said.
According to Hussain, the PNC has not secured votes through policy proposals and has instead relied on other means.
“The PNC has never won votes by selling a policy. Some who won votes through fraud and deception are still doing it today,” he said.
He further alleged that the PNC did not present pledges during council election campaigns and was instead seeking individuals willing to withdraw in exchange for money.
“Never before has there been such an open offer of money to buy candidates. How many children want to go out for jobs? How many children want promotion? This is what they do door to door. They do not sell policy,” Hussain said.
He also alleged that money obtained through bribes was being used openly during the campaign.
Hussain added that such actions were aimed at securing council seats without a vote. He claimed that the PNC was disclosing information that had not been made public by the Elections Commission (EC).
PNC parliamentary group leader and campaign manager Ibrahim Falah has stated that the party has secured seven per cent of seats without a vote and expects to obtain ten per cent uncontested.
Falah said the number of seats available without a vote could be clearly identified as the information was available from the EC.
At a recent PNC campaign rally, Falah said MDP candidates were reluctant to contest under their party’s banner. He reiterated that the PNC had already secured seven per cent of seats without a vote.
He also called on PNC candidates to continue their campaign without division and assured President Mohamed Muizzu that he would act within the law and regulations to secure seats for PNC candidates in the forthcoming elections.
