MDP says govt denied venues for October congress

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has accused the government of obstructing its upcoming congress by refusing to provide a venue in Malé for the event.

The MDP is scheduled to hold its congress from 1 to 3 October. The party said an investment forum will be held on the first day, followed by the formal congress proceedings beginning the next day.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, MDP Deputy Chairperson Ibrahim Waheed said the party had requested the use of Central Park for the congress but the request was rejected. He said the party had also been informed that schools would not be made available for the event.

With no government venue provided, Waheed said the party had decided to hold the congress at the Malé City Council premises, where a tent will be set up for the gathering.

“Since the government did not provide us with any venue, we have now secured the Malé City Council hall — by that I mean the grounds of the City Council. We have now decided to put up a tent there and hold the congress,” Waheed said.

He accused the government of attempting to prevent the party from holding the congress required under political party regulations, but said the event would proceed.

The Malé City Council, where the MDP holds a majority, has provided space for the congress.

MDP Deputy Chairperson for Finance Mohamed Shifaz said the government had told the party that schools could not be provided because they were not available for political activities.

Shifaz questioned the decision, pointing to the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) congress held at the Social Centre earlier this month.

He said the PNC had used Maafannu Madharusaa, Hiriya School and Thaajuddeen School in connection with its congress, including for arrangements associated with the event.

“They are telling us that schools are not places that can be provided for political purposes,” Shifaz said. “But the government used Maafannu Madharusaa, Hiriya School and Thaajuddeen School for its congress, along with the Social Centre and the surrounding area.”

Shifaz said the same rules should apply to all political parties receiving state funding.

Waheed also referred to remarks by President Mohamed Muizzu during the PNC congress about providing equal opportunities to political parties.

He accused the government of acting inconsistently with those remarks by refusing to provide the MDP with a venue while the PNC had recently held its congress at the Social Centre.

Despite the venue difficulties, Shifaz said preparations for the MDP congress were continuing.

Registration for the congress is open from 20 to 25 September, with more than 500 people registering online so far, according to Shifaz. Delegate kits will be distributed at the MDP headquarters on 29 and 30 September.

More than 986 participants are expected to attend the congress, he said.

Shifaz said members and others wishing to observe the proceedings would be accommodated to the extent permitted by available space, including arrangements for people to follow the congress from outside the main venue if necessary.