Instability is not caused by elections, but by the infringement of citizens' rights: Papa

The former commander of the Male’ area, Captain Ahmed Fayaz Ali Riza (Papa), has stated that the loss of peace and the rise of unrest in the Maldives were not caused by holding elections, but rather by the systematic deprivation of citizens' rights.

Speaking on RaajjeTV’s "Noonekey" program, Fayaz stated that while it is the Elections Commission's responsibility to raise public awareness regarding the referendum, the Commission has failed to fulfill this duty effectively. He noted that merely sharing snippets of information on social media platforms is insufficient, emphasizing that the public must be informed of the potential implications and outcomes of both sides of the vote.

The Elections Commission claims to be conducting awareness programs, yet one only needs to look at how many Maldivians have TikTok accounts or engage with the platform to see the reality. This clearly demonstrates that the Commission’s statements are inconsistent and lack credibility.

Ahmed Fayaz Ali Riza (Papa)

Fayaz stated that although the President's decree cited the need to ensure national peace and security, such justifications lack logic. He questioned whether merging the two elections is truly the only way to establish peace and stability in the country.

Fayaz stated that the government's claims lack any academic or intellectual merit. He further noted that it is increasingly evident the administration is actively attempting to mislead the public.

The unrest stems from the denial of our constitutional right to freedom of expression and the obstruction of our legal right to peaceful assembly. Therefore, the rhetoric regarding maintaining public peace is merely a facade intended to deceive the citizens.

Ahmed Fayaz Ali Riza (Papa)

Fayaz has urged the public to vote "no" in the referendum scheduled for April 4.