No job threat to govt staff, ruling party assures
The PNC statement said it was not the PPM/PNC's policy to dismiss people from jobs based on political ideology.
By
Aishath Fareeha Abdulla
The ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) on Saturday denied the opposition Maldives Democratic Party (MDP)'s claims that the government was threatening civil servants with their jobs and that the government was interfering in the parliamentary elections.
At a campaign meeting of the PNC candidate from Lh.Hinnavaru constituency, a video where Ahmed Shareef Abdul-Rahman Yusuf demands for 'control' of government employees, especially those working at the Felivaru factory, and action against them if they failed to cooperate had gone viral on social media.
The opposition MDP issued a statement condemning Ahmed’s speech. The MDP statement called on the Election Commission to investigate the matter.
“During this election campaign, the government is unfairly dismissing people who do not vote for the PNC candidate and hiring people who will vote for the PNC candidate,” the statement said.
The MDP accused the government of openly misusing state resources for campaign purposes.
The PNC responded, saying that the opinion expressed by an individual is not the whole party’s policy. The statement also said that President Mohammed Muizzu's policy is to conduct political activities equally within the clear-cut principles of democracy.
“We will win the support and love of the people by bringing the development they want and by listening to the voice of the people,” the PNC said.
The statement added that the MDP leaders' trips are attended by people in government jobs. It said it was not the PPM/PNC's policy to dismiss people from jobs based on political ideology.
