With EC President Zahid and President Muizzu holding secret meetings, no upcoming election will proceed fairly: MP Ziyad
Ziyad stated that the public has not been provided with adequate information regarding the referendum, nor has the specific question to be posed to the people been clarified. He further emphasized the need to disseminate comprehensive information to the public but noted that he has been denied the opportunity to speak on the matter even within the parliamentary floor.
Hussain Ziyad, the Member of Parliament for the Vaikaradhoo constituency, grants an interview to RaajjeTV during a street protest organized by the MDP. | RaajjeMV | RaajjeMV
Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad has stated that no upcoming elections will be conducted fairly or transparently as long as Elections Commission (EC) President Mohamed Zahid continues to hold secret meetings with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
During the MDP National Congress meeting held on Thursday night, Member Ziyad sharply criticized the government's approach regarding the proposed referendum to shorten the parliamentary term and hold presidential and parliamentary elections concurrently.
MP Ziyad stated that the public has not been provided with accurate information regarding this matter, nor has the question being posed to the citizens been clarified. He expressed a desire to provide more information to the public concerning the referendum vote but noted that he has not even been granted the opportunity to speak on the Parliament floor. Furthermore, Ziyad alleged that because the government is currently funding media outlets, the press is also failing to clarify the situation for the public.
Emphasizing the need to vote against holding the presidential, parliamentary, and local council elections on the same date, MP Ziyad stated that no upcoming election would proceed fairly while Elections Commission President Zahid holds secret meetings with President Muizzu. He added that the public must remain vigilant regarding this matter.
First, regarding the question. It is currently anticipated that the question posed to the public will be whether or not they support the ratification of the constitutional amendments introduced by the President. In principle, there is nothing inherently wrong with that. This appears to be the current line of thinking, and Members of Parliament representing the PNC are speaking in similar terms. The question being put to the people is whether they support the amendments to the Constitution. While the question itself may not be problematic, it is the MDP’s responsibility to explain the consequences of the outcome. If the public votes "yes" to ratify these changes, they are effectively forfeiting their right to have a say, and the resulting impact will lead to the cessation of ongoing development projects in the islands. A formal information paper on this matter should have been approved, yet no such document exists. There is no official record of the proposed question either. As it stands, this entire matter has been finalized through a private meeting between the Elections Commission and the President.Hussain Ziyad, Member of Parliament for the Vaikaradhoo constituency.
MP Ziyad stated that the government’s efforts to hold a referendum during the local council elections—on shortening the parliamentary term and aligning presidential and parliamentary elections—are driven by an entirely different motive.
MP Ziyad stated that the public must be informed of the potential risks and damages they may face as a result of this matter, asserting that the MDP will take all necessary measures to prevent it from occurring.
