If government succeeds in referendum, its actions through Parliament will only worsen; we must say "no" to this vote: Amru

Former Managing Director of STO, Hussain Amru, has stated that if the government wins the referendum vote, its actions through the People’s Majlis will further deteriorate, and urged the public to reject the proposal.

Speaking on the "Noonekey" program on Thursday night, Amru stated that the referendum is fraught with significant deceptions and that the government has failed to disclose its true motives for pursuing it. He further noted that the authorities have been unable to explain how this move would benefit the public.

Amru highlighted that the referendum is a calculated move by the current administration to achieve a specific political objective. He noted that by holding the presidential and parliamentary elections on the same day, public attention would be focused almost entirely on the presidential race. Furthermore, Amru stated that if this initiative succeeds, President Muizzu would likely utilize all state resources in future campaigns to frame a vote for him as an automatic vote for his party's parliamentary candidates.

He stated that the Parliament has lost its purpose, noting that since the government already holds a supermajority, it is impossible to hold the administration accountable in the interest of the public.

When things are handled in this manner, the lines of accountability become blurred. This erosion undermines the separation of powers established in the Maldives, leading to far more significant consequences. We are already witnessing this issue; when a government secures a super-majority in Parliament, they begin to operate entirely at their own discretion. Take, for example, the tragic passing of a six-year-old child last night because a necessary medical tube could not be provided. STO blamed NSPA, NSPA blamed STO, and then the Health Minister was drawn into the fray. Regardless of who is in power, there must be someone held accountable for such failures. But where is the oversight? Parliament is the primary body responsible for such scrutiny. It is Parliament that oversees and appoints the heads of independent institutions. Therefore, these institutions must investigate such matters immediately.

Former STO MD Hussain Amru

Amru stated that the People's Majlis plays a crucial role in matters concerning the public and emphasized the necessity of holding independent institutions accountable for issues that arise. He further noted that while the government should be questioned on all decisions affecting the citizenry, that oversight power has effectively vanished. He attributed this decline to the government's super-majority in Parliament, warning that the situation would only worsen if the government were to succeed in the upcoming referendum.

Amru has therefore called for a "no" vote in the referendum.