Muizzu has seized more rights in two years than were lost in thirty years of Maumoon's rule: Mauroof
Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir has asserted that President Muizzu assumed office through deception and has since lost his political legitimacy. Accusing the administration of undermining the Constitution and weakening state institutions, Mauroof submitted a proposal to the MDP National Congress to launch a nationwide campaign against these actions. He emphasized the urgent need for robust protests across Male' and the atolls to safeguard the country's future.
Mauroof Zakir, the Member of Parliament for the Kendhoo constituency, delivers a speech at the MDP National Congress. | RaajjeMV | Raajje MV
Member of Parliament for the Kendhoo constituency, Mauroof Zakir, has stated that the administration of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stripped citizens of their rights over the past two years to an extent unseen even during the 30-year presidency of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
Mauroof made these remarks while addressing a meeting of the main opposition MDP’s National Congress on Thursday.
Mauroof stated that President Muizzu assumed office with 54 percent of the votes cast, noting that this does not represent a majority of the country’s total eligible voting population. He pointed out that the election was won by a margin of approximately 15,000 votes, emphasizing that the outcome would have been different had those votes swung the other way. Consequently, Mauroof asserted that the public did not grant President Muizzu a mandate to govern the nation according to his own whims.
The Maldivian people did not decide to hand over this country to President Muizzu to do with as he pleases. The citizens did not cast their votes that day to grant him the authority to manipulate the Constitution and impose his will upon us all. Furthermore, President Muizzu was elected because people were swayed by the specific promises and the manifesto he presented, pledging to deliver on those commitments. Nowhere in that platform did it mention dismantling the Constitution, nor did it state that elections would be consolidated, or any of the various other measures now being taken. Had he declared those intentions at the time, it is certain the Maldivian people would not have elected him. Instead, he came to power by misleading the public—vowing to remove the Indian military presence, reclaim Chagos, uphold existing benefits, and provide flats and land plots. He secured his position through deception.Mauroof Zakir, Member of Parliament for the Kendhoo constituency.
Mauroof stated that because President Muizzu has violated the pledges made to assume power, he must now be declared an illegitimate leader.
Highlighting the MDP’s years of sacrifice to liberate the Maldives and establish democratic principles, Mauroof stated that the nation is currently witnessing the systematic dismantling of the Constitution and independent institutions, including the Parliament, the Supreme Court, and the Elections Commission. He further asserted that within the past two years, the rights of citizens are being stripped away to an extent unseen even during President Maumoon’s 30-year rule.
In response to the current situation, Mauroof proposed that the MDP launch a special campaign regarding the referendum. He called for the formation of a dedicated committee to spearhead this effort and urged the party to organize protests and various activities across Malé and the rest of the country. Mauroof Zakir further warned that if they remain silent as an opposition party, President Muizzu will destroy the future of the nation and its children.
