Government attempting to orchestrate a scheme allowing Muizzu to dissolve Parliament at his whim: Ibrahim Rasheed

Former Member of Parliament for Central Maafannu constituency, Ibrahim Rasheed, has alleged that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration is working under a deceptive plan to undermine the powers of the People’s Majlis and grant the President the authority to dissolve Parliament at his discretion.

He made these remarks while speaking at an MDP rally, expressing concern over the changes the government intends to implement. Ibrahim Rasheed stated that what is currently being witnessed are efforts to grant the President the authority to dissolve Parliament. He emphasized that the MDP is currently the only political party that listens to the people and engages in democratic discourse, noting that it is the party that established democratic principles in the Maldives. Furthermore, he asserted that the PNC is not a true political party, claiming that anyone within its ranks who speaks out against the President is being expelled.

He emphasized that the primary responsibility of parliamentarians is to hold the President and cabinet ministers accountable, asserting that it is the duty of the people's representatives to monitor and prevent corruption within the executive. However, he noted that current developments suggest a shift toward a system where members can be dismissed simply for speaking out. Consequently, he urged the public to reject the government in the upcoming elections. He further claimed that neither the PNC nor the candidates contesting for local councils include democratic representatives who will genuinely advocate for the rights of the citizens.

They are preparing for this election by attempting to manipulate the public, deceive the people, and defame the MDP. They are targeting the services provided by those in local government, including the Atoll Councils and the Mayors of Male’ City, Kulhuduffushi, and Addu. The Local Government Authority (LGA) has been turned into a central authority. In the past, this was the Ministry of Atolls, and now we see a figure like Shareef in charge. They have centralized all powers under the Atolls administration, withheld budgets, and seized lands previously allocated for agriculture, fisheries, or fish processing. They have stripped the councils of their authority and effectively abolished the Atoll Councils. Once you abolish the Atoll Councils and the Island Councils, what is left?

Ibrahim Rasheed, the former Member of Parliament for the Central Maafannu constituency.

Speaking on the parliamentary term, Rasheed stated that while the Constitution explicitly defines a five-year term for the Parliament, the proposed amendment would grant the President the authority to dissolve the legislature within a single month. He characterized this as a major deception of the public, warning that if the change is passed, future elections will no longer feature independent candidates, but will instead be centered solely around the President.