Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party has announced their decision to boycott the first session of the Parliament, citing that the Government sponsored and backed illegal acts and crimes had increased over the past year.

The decision was arrived at the meeting of the Parliamentary Group in Sri Lanka. The decision was passed with an overwhelming majority.

MDP PG Deputy Leader Imthiyaz Fahmy said they had made the decision to boycott as the Government was continuing to perpetrate injustices against the public. He said the entire nation was clouded by the state’s corruption and graft, with the economy sinking deeper into ruin. Imthiyaz said added that there was no correlation between what the President said in the Address and his actions.

He said there was no reason for the public to pay attention to it, noting that it was insignificant.

This is the second year in a row that MDP had passed to boycott the Address. Last year, they boycotted the Address, as the Parliament session was held in Dharubaaruge, instead of the Parliament. MDP said the decision was taken without any plausible cause. Parliament said they had to shift the location as repairs had to be undertaken following a minor fire in the Parliament.

This year’s session will also be held in Dharubaaruge, though no reason had been given for the change of location. Parliament Secretary General Ahmed Mohamed said the decision was made by the Parliament Speaker Abdullah Maseeh and that he did not know why the decision was taken.

Back in 2015, MDP MPs and other opposition MPs had attempted to disrupt the session, calling for President Yameen’s resignation. President Yameen had signaled a thumbs down towards opposition MPs, while giving a thumbs up to Government allied MPs.

Clause 84 of the Constitution states that every year, the President has to deliver a statement, clarifying the status of the nation and what must be done to address the situation. The Address will mark the start of the sessions of the Parliament for the current year.

While the Parliament sessions for this year will begin tomorrow, MP Ahmed Mahloof is serving a 10 month 24-day jail term.