MDP condemns vandalism of its campaign banners
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has expressed grave concern over allegations that Housing Development Corporation (HDC) employees are dismantling and damaging campaign posters and banners put up by its candidates in Hulhumale'. The opposition party accused the government of failing to provide a level playing field, alleging that while state resources are being utilized to facilitate the campaign of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC), opposition candidates are being unfairly restricted.
HDC employees remove MDP candidate posters following dawn prayers. | RaajjeMV | RaajjeMV
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has condemned the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) for allegedly failing to provide equal opportunities during the campaign for the upcoming Local Council and Women's Development Committee elections. The party accused HDC of exclusively facilitating candidates from the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) and further alleged that HDC staff were used to damage campaign posters and banners belonging to MDP candidates.
In a statement released regarding the matter, the MDP said that despite repeated requests to the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to install campaign materials for their candidates in Hulhumale', no such opportunity has been granted to date. The party further noted that the HDC has failed to provide any response to the formal letters submitted by the MDP candidates requesting these permissions.
The statement noted that while MDP candidates have been denied permission to display posters and banners in Hulhumale', PNC candidates have been allowed to install theirs across both Phase 1 and Phase 2. It further alleged that these materials were put up using the resources and staff of state-owned enterprises.
The MDP stated that despite repeated requests, the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has failed to grant permission or provide any response regarding the installation of campaign posters and banners. Consequently, the party proceeded to display its candidates' promotional materials in Hulhumale', following the same procedures used in previous elections. However, the party alleged in a statement that HDC employees were used to dismantle and damage several campaign posters and banners belonging to MDP candidates.
The party stated its belief that HDC's actions are a coordinated effort orchestrated by the government to obstruct a free and fair election and to hinder the campaigns of MDP candidates. MDP further called for an immediate end to these "uncivilized acts" being carried out by the government, asserting that they directly contravene the principles of non-discrimination and equality enshrined in the Constitution, as well as established electoral laws and regulations.
Videos have surfaced showing Housing Development Corporation (HDC) employees removing campaign posters of MDP candidates from the streets of Hulhumale'. The footage shows the staff carrying out the removal during the early hours of Monday morning.
Video footage shows two individuals removing posters and placing them into the back of a parked pickup truck. As the pair departs on a motorcycle, a man wearing an HDC t-shirt appears on the scene. When questioned, he stated that the posters were being removed because they had been put up without the necessary permits.
