The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the main opposition party, has issued a stern warning to the electorate about the potential ramifications of granting a parliamentary majority to the ruling coalition in the upcoming elections. The coalition, comprising President Mohamed Muizzu’s People’s National Congress (PNC) and its ally, the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), faces accusations from the MDP of intending to extend its power over dissidents, suppress political opponents, and stifle calls for justice.
MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail, speaking at a campaign rally, cautioned that a parliamentary majority for the ruling coalition could lead the country down a path of severe injustices, political repression, and the co-optation of opposition members.
“If they manage to secure a majority in parliament, rest assured, you will see injustices. They’ll soon start rounding us all up,” warned Ismail, who served as the Minister of Economic Development in the previous MDP-led administration.
Ismail criticised the current administration under President Muizzu, accusing it of veering towards autocratic rule—a charge directed by the MDP towards previous administrations led by Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. President Muizzu deceived the public with false promises to gain power, and the people are now aware of these lies, he claimed.
“[President] Muizzu came to power through deceit and falsehoods. The people are now cognisant of these deceptions. Each narrative, each commitment [by Muizzu] turned out to be a falsehood. We are currently witnessing this,” added Ismail.
He also reminded the public of the good governance exercised by the administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, asserting that the MDP stands to protect the people’s rights. The MDP has also expressed concern over the current government’s handling of the previous government-initiated Binveriya and Gedhoruveriya social housing schemes, accusing it of attempting to annul the list of recipients of flats and land plots to favour their supporters.
Speaking at the rally, Solih, who is also the senior advisor of the MDP, stated that the Muizzu administration was “unconstitutionally” withholding the flats and land plots from their recipients. He assured that if the people give the MDP a majority in parliament, they can ensure that the housing plots and flats are handed over to their rightful owners within a specified period.
“During the final year of our tenure, we compiled a list of recipients for flats and housing units most equitably and impartially. The issuance of land plots from Gulhifalhu, Giraavarufalhu, and Hulhumalé was a challenging decision,” he said.
“We resolved that the inhabitants of Malé should be prioritised for land allocation. Subsequently, we formulated a mechanism for individuals who had relocated to Malé to also be eligible for land plots. However, this administration has ceased all such initiatives,” the former president said.
The upcoming parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held on 21 April. The MDP is fielding candidates for 90 seats in parliament and is running its parliamentary campaign under the banner ‘Misraabu hama magah!’, which translates to ‘Steering towards the just path!’.
