Combining two elections is a move to prolong power and feed President Muizzu's ego: Aik
Legal experts are expressing concern over the proposed referendum to align presidential and parliamentary elections, alleging that the vote is being conducted through deception without providing the public with adequate information. These lawyers highlight that such a move could diminish the powers of the citizenry and lead to adverse consequences for the integrity of the electoral system.
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Legal expert Aik Ahmed Easa has stated that merging the two elections is a move intended to prolong the administration's hold on power and feed President Muizzu’s ego.
He made these remarks while speaking on RaajjeTV’s "Noonekey" campaign program.
He stated that the primary reason to oppose the synchronization of the two elections is that it is an attempt to manipulate the process by utilizing the entire state apparatus. Aik noted that based on the statements made by the Elections Commission in court regarding this matter, the commission has effectively admitted its own failure. He emphasized that when conducting such a vote, all relevant information must be transparent to the public. Furthermore, Aik asserted that the justifications being presented for merging the two elections should have been clearly established by now.
"This vote is not being held in the interest of the people; it is being conducted after suppressing everyone else and forcibly transferring employees from Thinadhoo to Ihavandhoo. This is simply being done to feed Dr. Muizzu's ego," Aik said.
Aik further stated that this was an attempt to consolidate and uphold the powers of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
Speaking during the program, Ahmed Mauroof, the Legal Director of the opposition MDP, stated that as the local council elections approach, the reasoning behind merging two highly competitive elections remains unclear. He also questioned the government's intentions behind holding a referendum on the synchronization of these elections alongside another vote. Mauroof suggested that the objective might be to conduct the referendum while the public's focus is elsewhere, potentially holding the vote without providing adequate information to the citizens.
"This is an election being conducted by manipulating the public while withholding essential information. There is a significant fear that if things continue this way, fundamental rights will be curtailed, and we may face a future where the opportunity to vote never arises again," Mauroof said.
Legal experts are asserting that the phrasing of the question for the public referendum is unconstitutional. Furthermore, opponents of the move argue that consolidating presidential and local council elections would undermine the democratic power of the people.
