Nasheed team pledges legal support for employees facing dismissal

The campaign team of former President Mohamed Nasheed has condemned what it describes as the dismissal and suspension of government employees for supporting his candidacy in the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) chairperson election, and pledged legal assistance to those affected.

Voting in the MDP chairperson election is scheduled to take place on Friday. The contest is between Nasheed and Galolhu South MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem.

In recent weeks, both candidates have travelled to islands across the country as part of their campaigns.

Reports have emerged that some civil servants and employees of state-owned enterprises who attended events welcoming Nasheed or met him during campaign visits have faced disciplinary action, including suspensions and dismissals. Similar allegations were raised during the recent Hithadhoo North parliamentary by-election campaign.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Nasheed's campaign team accused the government of using employment-related measures to influence political activity.

"We call upon the government to immediately cease the infringement of citizens' rights and the actions being taken to interfere in the internal elections of the MDP and intimidate the public," the statement said.

The campaign team said participation in peaceful political activities is a constitutional right enjoyed by all citizens, including employees of the civil service and state-owned enterprises.

The statement further argued that citizens have the right to meet and welcome Nasheed during his visits to islands, noting that he has previously served as President of the Maldives and Speaker of Parliament.

"It is unacceptable to prevent citizens from exercising their right to welcome and interact with President Nasheed," the statement said.

The campaign team also called on the government to reverse disciplinary measures already taken against employees.

It said Nasheed would support efforts to challenge such actions through legal channels and would seek available remedies under the law.

"We assure those affected that President Nasheed will lead efforts to challenge these actions, including pursuing all available legal remedies," the statement said.

The campaign team added that it would monitor the situation of employees affected by the alleged measures and provide support where required.

Neither the government nor the institutions referred to in the statement had publicly responded to the allegations at the time of publication.