Amendment after amendment, and law after law, this government has completely dismantled the Maldives' decentralization system: Eva

Former Deputy Speaker of Parliament Eva Abdulla has stated that the current administration has dismantled the Maldives' decentralization system through a series of successive constitutional amendments and legislative changes.

Speaking at an MDP campaign rally on Friday night, Eva stated that the upcoming election on April 21 is an occasion where all citizens across the Maldives should cast their votes for the MDP. She emphasized that this vote serves as a critical opportunity for everyone to collectively reject the current PNC administration.

Eva stated that anyone looking back at the past two and a half years would be able to identify numerous reasons why they must reject this government.

The government is required to settle a $500 million sukuk bond next week. Furthermore, by the end of 2026, the government must repay a total of $1.5 billion. Anyone observing the administration's conduct—characterized by superficiality and extravagance—can see that the government lacks a long-term vision regarding the nation's financial situation. The independence and integrity of the People's Majlis, independent institutions, the media, and the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) have been completely dismantled. Through successive amendments and legislative changes, the country's decentralization system is also being systematically destroyed and abolished.

Former Deputy Speaker of the People's Majlis, Eva Abdulla

Eva stated that after devastating the nation's affairs, efforts are now being made to deceive the public regarding the current situation. She noted that while President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has repeatedly claimed the country is in good standing, the public can now see that the conflict in Iran is having a direct impact on the Maldives.

Eva noted that the Maldives' fuel reserves are currently sufficient for 20 days, while the usable foreign currency reserves are only enough to cover approximately one month of imports. Furthermore, she highlighted that the country's food supply, accessibility, and overall food security are directly linked to the epicenter of the ongoing conflict. Eva also pointed out the well-known decline in tourist arrivals, noting a nearly 40 percent drop in a sector that accounts for approximately 90 percent of the Maldives' foreign currency inflows.

Eva stated that while all neighboring countries have taken proactive measures, this administration remains blind to both the global conflict and the current state of the nation. She noted that the government’s sole focus appears to be the upcoming election on April 4th. Consequently, Eva repeatedly asserted that the public must reject an administration of this nature.