The upcoming local council elections is an opportunity to expel tyrannical governance in the country, MP Fayyaz Ismail has said. 

At a campaign rally held in Kulhudhuffushi island of Haa Dhaalu atoll, to garner support for the elections, Fayyaz said the Yameen administration is now struggling to show the international community that it has the support of the people, which is why the elections are so important to it.

“If the government’s tyranny is ever to be exposed, we must be careful to not allow President Yameen to acquire the majority he wants” Fayyaz said. 

In this regard, he encouraged more participation in the elections. 

“It is common belief that the council elections are unimportant, but let me tell you, this one of the most important elections we have ever faced – it will tip the balance of power in the country” he added. 

The Local Council Elections are now scheduled for May 6th, after the Elections Commission delayed it citing the H1N1 outbreak last month.

Initially ballots were to be cast on January 14th. It was delayed after the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives' faction led by President Abdulla Yameen pursued a case at the Civil Court on the grounds that they had lost their membership database.