Pickup Rally: "The public must decisively reject the referendum and uphold the power of the people."
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has called on the public to vote against the proposed referendum on synchronizing presidential and parliamentary elections, characterizing the move as an attempt to usurp the constitutional powers of the people.
Abdul Ghafoor, Member of Parliament for the Hanimaadhoo constituency. | RaajjeMV | Raajje MV
MDP's Interim Chairperson and Member of Parliament for the Hanimadhoo constituency, Abdul Ghafoor, has called on the public to overwhelmingly reject the referendum on consolidating presidential and parliamentary elections, asserting that such a move is essential to uphold the power of the people.
Speaking at an MDP campaign rally, he stated that now is not the appropriate time to conduct a referendum on synchronizing presidential and parliamentary elections. Ghafoor further alleged that the government is engaging in various activities conducive to corruption, including mass hiring, in an attempt to secure victory in the upcoming elections. Ghafoor also accused the government of using deceptive tactics to influence the outcomes of the forthcoming local council elections and the national referendum.
"Even as HDC remains heavily in debt, they have hired approximately 400 additional staff. How can all these people be kept in employment once the election is over? This is not how things should be done. This is a group of people committing an act of betrayal," he said.
In addition to Ghafoor, former Member of Parliament Ali Niyaz stated that the government's current actions are in violation of the Constitution. He questioned the urgency behind the move, noting that the government has failed to provide the public with the information required under the Referendum Act. Furthermore, he accused the administration of attempting to usurp the powers of the people.
