MDP protests outside STELCO headquarters following a significant surge in electricity bills after Ramadan
Male' City Mayor Adam Azim has accused the government of orchestrating a targeted attack against him during a recent MDP protest, an act the opposition party has vehemently condemned. Despite the incident, the MDP maintains that it will not be intimidated or deterred from its efforts to hold the government accountable, as the party continues its series of street demonstrations in the capital calling for urgent governance reforms.
A scene from the protest held by the MDP on Friday night. | Raajje MV
The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) staged a protest outside the STELCO headquarters on Friday night, following a significant surge in electricity bills this month after the expiration of the Ramadan discount.
A large number of people participated in the latest of a series of protests organized by the MDP, accusing the government of stealing from the public through electricity bills and demanding an immediate end to the practice.
Speaking at the protest, Member of Parliament for the Kendhoo constituency, Mauroof Zakir, stated that the public had expressed concerns ever since President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced that discounts would be applied to electricity bills during the month of Ramadan. Mauroof noted that the public's warnings—that bills would spike to unacceptable levels in the following month after the discounts—have now become a reality.
Male' City Mayor Adam Azim was assaulted during a protest held on the main streets of the capital. As protesters marched, an individual standing on the side of the road lunged forward and shoved Azim in the chest. Protesters accompanying the Mayor immediately intervened to protect him and pushed the assailant away. It was noted that despite the presence of police officers at the scene, the individual who attacked Azim was not taken into custody.
In an interview with RaajjeTV during the protest following the attack, Mayor Azim alleged that the incident was a deliberate and orchestrated act by the government. However, he asserted that the MDP would not be intimidated by such tactics and vowed to continue their efforts to hold the government accountable. MDP's Interim Chairperson Abdul Ghafoor Moosa also issued a strong condemnation of the attack, reaffirming the party's commitment to ensuring government transparency.
Protesters at the rally called for the resignation of President Muizzu. This follows a resolution passed by the MDP National Executive Committee on April 14, which called for protests to demand the government implement 12 specific reforms for the sake of national security. In accordance with that decision, the MDP has been holding nightly demonstrations on the streets of Male' to voice their opposition to the government.
