Combining elections is an attempt to secure influence and power for 2028: Shamheed
MP Dr. Ahmed Shamheed has alleged that the government's efforts to consolidate elections are not aimed at cost reduction, but are instead a strategic move to exert undue influence over the 2028 elections.
Shamheed addresses the MDP rally. | RaajjeMV | raajjemv
Dr. Ahmed Shamheed, the Member of Parliament for South Hulhumalé constituency, has stated that the efforts to consolidate elections are a strategic move to secure influence and power ahead of 2028.
Shamheed made these remarks while addressing a meeting of the MDP National Council.
Shamheed stated that the most significant right secured for Maldivians by the MDP in 2008 was the right to vote, and accused the current administration of attempting to strip away that right. He further noted that while the government claims its efforts to align the upcoming local council elections with the presidential and parliamentary elections are intended to reduce costs, the reality is quite different.
"We could choose not to engage with the public and refrain from executing PSIP projects more than once every five years. That would certainly reduce costs. However, there is no other way to cut expenditure," Shamheed stated.
Shamheed stated that holding the presidential and parliamentary elections together in 2028 would effectively shorten the term of the current members of Parliament. He noted that this is not a logical approach. Shamheed further criticized the manner in which the Constitution is being amended under the current administration, asserting that there is a lack of sincerity in the proposal to synchronize the elections.
