In a controversial move, the government has initiated a series of mandatory events, coercing attendance from public employees in a strategic effort to spoil their participation in the high-profile ‘in defense of the Constitution’ rally slated for Tuesday night.

RaajjeMV understands that the government, government-owned companies, and schools are planning activities specifically targeting parents of students.

As such, a message forwarded to employees of the Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) states that all employees are instructed to come to the office at 8:00pm for an activity conducted by the management. It also mentions that all employees, except those on leave, are expected to participate in the activity, and even off-duty employees must attend.

Further, the message from MPL notes that attendance will be taken, and employees who wear uniforms should come to the event in their uniforms. However, the specific nature of the event was not disclosed.

In addition to this, a message sent to class representatives by Iskandhar School states that a very important meeting regarding Iskandhar Fair Stalls has been scheduled for Tuesday night. Therefore, all representatives are instructed to come to the school hall at 8:15pm.

Civil service employees are also being instructed and forced not to attend the 'In Defense of the Constitution' rally.

The main-opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has accused the government of using several tactics to prevent people from attending their 'In Defense of the Constitution' rally.

MDP has claimed that the government is resorting to tactics such as threatening job security and forcibly relocating people from their islands to prevent attendance at the rally.

The opposition party has also claimed that the government is spreading falsehoods to churn fear among the public, claiming that Tuesday’s gathering is illegal and encourages violence, in an attempt to discourage people from attending the rally.