MTCC damages and removes MDP campaign banners
The opposition MDP has rejected MTCC's claim that the removal of its campaign banners near the MMA area was an oversight, following reports that pro-government materials in the same vicinity were left untouched. Expressing serious concern, the MDP characterized the selective removal as a deliberate attempt to obstruct its campaign activities. This incident has intensified allegations that the government is misusing its influence to suppress opposition efforts ahead of the upcoming election.
Employees in MTCC uniforms were seen removing campaign banners put up by the MDP along the harbor area on Boduthakurufaanu Magu, across from the MMA building. | RaajjeMV | Raajje MV
Employees wearing MTCC uniforms removed several MDP campaign banners from the harbor area near the MMA building on Boduthakurufaanu Magu on Tuesday.
The incident occurred as members of the MDP arrived at the location to conduct one of their ongoing series of "pickup rallies."
As MDP supporters arrived at the scene, junior employees from MTCC were seen removing banners the party had put up to protest the synchronization of the two elections. According to eyewitnesses, a senior MTCC supervisor was present at the site, directing the workers as they took down the materials.
When senior MDP officials at the scene questioned the MTCC supervisor regarding the incident, he claimed that the banners had been removed by mistake. However, MDP leadership has raised concerns over this explanation, questioning how only the opposition party's banners were "accidentally" removed while pro-government banners in the same area remained untouched.
The government has previously utilized HDC employees to vandalize MDP campaign banners and posters put up across Hulhumale'. As such incidents continue to recur, concerns among opposition groups have continued to escalate.
Opposition parties have accused the government of exerting unprecedented levels of power and influence to secure victory in the elections scheduled for April 4. They claim the current administration is utilizing state resources and authority to a degree never before seen in the Maldives' history. Furthermore, many observers have noted that the government is systematically and continuously working to obstruct the opposition's campaign activities.
