Combining two elections will only further distance people from development; this is a disservice to the island communities: Ziyad
Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad has criticized the proposed constitutional amendment to synchronize presidential and parliamentary elections, asserting that the move is not in the public's best interest. He argued that reducing the frequency of elections would diminish the government's accountability to the people and lead to a slowdown in essential development projects.
Hussain Ziyad, the Member of Parliament for the Vaikaradhoo constituency. | screen image | Screen image
Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad has stated that synchronizing two elections would distance the public from development and described the move as a setback for the administrative atolls.
Ziyad made these remarks while speaking at a press conference held by the MDP Parliamentary Group. He asserted that the current move to amend the Constitution to align the parliamentary and presidential elections is not being pursued in the best interests of the public.
Ziyad stated that the ruling PNC had previously utilized its majority to push through abrupt constitutional amendments. He noted that the current submission of an amendment just one day before the parliamentary recess follows the same pattern.
Furthermore, he noted that stalled projects are often resumed just in time for elections, emphasizing that this is a pattern citizens must carefully consider. He added that the less frequently those in power engage with the public, the further the people are distanced from progress and development.
Ziyad stated that synchronizing elections would mean the government only has to face the public once every five years, which he argued would ultimately be detrimental to the citizens.
"Promises were made during the presidential election, work commenced during the parliamentary elections, and now, as we approach the council elections, the projects are just beginning to gain momentum. This is how the process works," Ziyad said.
Ziyad further stated that the primary purpose of electing a Parliament is to maintain oversight of the President. He noted that the consequences of the overseers and the executive becoming one and the same are clearly visible in the current Parliament. Furthermore, he asserted that any extension of the parliamentary term should only be determined through a public vote.
He stated that if the Constitution is to be amended, the public must be extensively sensitized before proceeding to a referendum. Ziyad noted that, to date, the process appears to be conducted with a high degree of secrecy, which he described as a matter of concern.
