MDP Pickup Rally: "The government's strategy for cost-cutting is simply to ignore the voices of the people; while the administration is spending 54 million rufiyaa per month"
MDP President Abdulla Shahid has condemned the government's proposal to hold presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously under the guise of cost-cutting, labeling the move unacceptable. Highlighting the administration's own fiscal extravagance, Shahid argued that the initiative is a calculated attempt to shorten the parliamentary term and urged the public to reject the measure.
MDP President Abdulla Shahid addresses the crowd during an MDP pickup rally. | Raajje MV
MDP President Abdulla Shahid has stated that the government’s true intention behind its cost-cutting measures is to silence the voice of the people, noting that the administration continues to spend 54 million Rufiyaa per month.
Shahid made these remarks while addressing an MDP pickup rally.
Shahid stated that the government's justification for merging the presidential and parliamentary elections to reduce costs is an unacceptable excuse. He noted that government spending remains excessively high in all areas except for those that directly benefit the citizens. Shahid urged the public to consider their best interests when voting on the proposal to combine the two elections, emphasizing that this decision should be made by setting aside political ideologies. Shahid further remarked that while the current administration has spent 120 billion Rufiyaa within its first two years, it has failed to achieve any meaningful progress for the country. He asserted that across all islands in the Maldives, the government has done little more than lay foundation stones without completing actual projects.
"In reality, this vote is a referendum on whether to shorten the parliamentary term or not. Regardless of what is written on the ballot paper, the choice remains a simple 'yes' or 'no.' The question was posed by the government. Given the government's track record, the citizens' response is bound to be a 'no,'" Shahid said.
Speaking at the gathering, former Member of Parliament for the Makunudhoo constituency, Mohamed Raee, alleged that the government’s move to conduct a referendum is a deceptive tactic. He further claimed that the administration is engaging in corrupt practices to secure campaign funding, specifically citing the release of illicit tobacco products previously seized by Customs. Additionally, Raee asserted that the government's efforts to shorten the parliamentary term constitute an overreach of presidential authority. He concluded by accusing President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of consistently misleading and deceiving the public since taking office.
