The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has strongly condemned the government’s “unlawful” interference in an event marking the formation of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s People’s National Front (PNF). The MDP characterised this as a step towards authoritarian rule.
The PNF’s inaugural congress was scheduled to convene at Ghiyasuddin International School (GIS), a privately run institution, at 10 p.m. on Tuesday. However, the police erected a barrier at the school gate, barring officials and supporters from entering the premises to participate in the congress.
This obstruction prompted PNF supporters to allege that the police were operating under directives from President Mohamed Muizzu, which has subsequently led to calls for his resignation.
Despite the police cordon, several supporters managed to gain entry into the school premises, which resulted in the police resorting to force to halt them. Police spokesperson Ahmed Shifan stated that their actions were aimed at preventing an unauthorised gathering in the vicinity of the school, to safeguard the school, following a request made by the Education Ministry.
The MDP, in a statement, expressed grave concern over the events that transpired at the assembly on Tuesday. They highlighted the security forces’s use of pepper spray on peaceful delegates, despite the Elections Commission (EC) having issued the necessary permits for the event.
“Freedom of political expression is a fundamental right enshrined in our constitution. Attempts to suppress and silence opposing political views is another step in this administration’s continued slide towards authoritarian rule,” the MDP said in the statement. “The government cultivating a political climate of fear and repression is a worrying sign of how President Dr. Muizzu intends to govern.”
The MDP also called upon President Muizzu to immediately cease all efforts to disrupt the formation of the PNF, and to ensure that Maldivian citizens are afforded their right to a free and fair political environment.
Senior advisor of MDP, former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih also expressed serious concern over the government’s attempts to prevent members of the newly formed PNF from attending their inaugural meeting. In a post on X, he emphasised, “The right to form political parties, to peaceful assembly and to have dissenting views from those in power are guaranteed to all of us by the constitution.”
Solih stressed that these rights are not privileges granted at the pleasure of any one individual in power, but rather, they are fundamental rights that should be defended and protected. He concluded by stating that these rights remain “important cornerstones of a thriving open society.”
Condemning the actions of the government, Abdulla Shahid, the president of MDP, suggested that these actions stem from fear within the current administration, which is grappling with a lacklustre parliamentary election campaign and allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
He stated, “As the pioneering party in introducing multiparty democracy to the Maldives, [MDP] believes that the right of people to form new political parties and movements, and freedom of assembly and expression are key tenets of our democratic system.”
Following the disruption of the PNF inaugural congress at Ghiyasuddin School by the police, members reconvened at the Raalhugandu area in Malé and held the congress after receiving permission from the Malé City Council.
Three hundred twenty-nine members attended the congress. The congress voted to elect President Yameen’s son, Zeine Abdulla Yameen, as the party’s acting president. An acting senate was also elected at the meeting.