MDP sets up tents for congress after failing to secure govt venue

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has begun final preparations to hold its congress in tents at the Malé City Council’s Thaise Koshi grounds after the party said the government did not provide a venue for the gathering.

The three-day congress is scheduled to begin on Thursday night and will include proposed amendments to the party’s constitution and discussions on a policy paper proposing changes to the system of governance. The congress is being held from 1 to 3 October.

The MDP said it had been seeking a government venue since July. Such large gatherings in Malé are commonly held at schools or the Social Centre, according to the party.

MDP Deputy Chairperson Ibrahim Waheed told Dhauru on Thursday that the party ultimately decided to erect tents and proceed with the congress after failing to secure a venue from the government.

“The government did not want to provide a venue for the congress. Therefore, in the end, we decided to put up tents ourselves and hold the congress,” Waheed said.

He said political parties are required to hold congresses and described the government’s failure to provide a venue as a matter of concern. Waheed also alleged that the decision reflected the government’s approach towards the democratic system.

The government has yet to respond to the allegation.

Waheed contrasted the situation with the congress of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), which was held in September. He said the PNC used the Social Centre as well as the nearby Thaajuddeen School and Hiriya School for activities connected with its congress. The MDP had previously made similar allegations when announcing its decision to use the City Council grounds.

Waheed said holding the event in tents would provide less space and increase costs, but that the party would proceed with the congress.

Two tents have been erected at Thaise Koshi. One will accommodate the congress sessions, while the other will host the “Rahvehi Tharagghee” investment forum organised for local councils as part of the congress.

The investment forum will present investment opportunities identified by councils and facilitate discussions with potential investors. The MDP has previously said more than 100 investment opportunities across sectors including tourism, agriculture, fisheries, infrastructure and real estate would be presented at the forum.

Around 1,000 people are eligible to participate in the congress. The initial registration period ended last Friday, but the party announced on Thursday that eligible participants who missed the deadline would be given another opportunity to register.

Under the new arrangement, they can register at a designated desk at the Malé City Council on Friday between 2:30pm and 10pm.

The congress will open with a ceremony on Thursday night. The investment forum will begin on Friday afternoon, followed by a panel discussion and music show in the evening.

The formal congress sessions will begin on Saturday morning with the presentation and debate of proposed amendments to the MDP constitution.

On Saturday afternoon, delegates will consider the “Bodu Badhalu” policy paper, which proposes changes to the system of governance. Issues requiring approval will then be put to a vote later in the day.

The congress will conclude on Saturday night. The closing programme is expected to include the signing of memoranda of understanding arising from the investment forum and a vote on the party’s amended constitution.