Government must stop coercing employees and forcibly re-registering them to other islands to secure votes: Fayyaz
Former MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail has expressed concern over allegations of intimidation and undue influence exerted on state-owned enterprise employees ahead of the local council elections. Highlighting an increase in punitive actions such as the withholding of promotions and unfair dismissals based on political affiliation, the MDP condemned these acts as uncivilized attempts to manipulate the vote. Consequently, Fayyaz called on the government to immediately cease these violations of employees' fundamental rights.
Former Economic Minister and former Chairperson of the MDP, Fayyaz Ismail. | Ibrahim Shabil | Ibrahim Shabil
Former Economic Minister and former Chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Fayyaz Ismail, has called for an end to the intimidation of state-owned enterprise (SOE) employees ahead of the local council elections. He alleged that the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) is harassing staff and forcing them to re-register in islands other than their home islands to secure their votes.
In a post on X, Fayyaz alleged that individuals affiliated with the PNC are intimidating and harassing employees of state-owned enterprises ahead of the local council elections. He further claimed that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has initiated efforts to force these employees to re-register in islands other than their home islands as a means of securing their votes.
Fayyaz stated that this reflects the extent of the shock and fear that President Muizzu might lose the election. He further called on the government to cease these uncivilized actions aimed at depriving employees of their right to vote.
Fayyaz has recently expressed concern over several similar issues. He noted a rising trend in the dismissal of individuals based on differing political views and the distribution of jobs for political gain. Fayyaz specifically highlighted the case of Abdulla Nasir, who was in charge of the Gaafu Alif Kolamaafushi powerhouse and Fenaka office. He stated that Nasir was removed from his post because he refused to stop expressing independent political views, even after being demoted.
Furthermore, reports are emerging of employees being dismissed, demoted, or forcibly transferred after refusing to vote for candidates from the ruling PNC or expressing support for MDP candidates. The public has criticized these actions, condemning such pressures as an attempt to exert undue political influence.
