The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has summoned the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail for questioning in connection with a suspected abuse of power. The official summons, signed by ACC Assistant Superintendent Ahmed Ameen, requires Fayyaz to appear before the Commission at 9:30am on October 13.

The summons has raised significant concerns about the credibility and independence of ACC, especially amid growing allegations that state oversight mechanisms have been systematically undermined since President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu took office. Critics argue that the current administration has hollowed out institutional checks and balances, turning formerly independent bodies into tools of political retaliation.

While ACC claims to be investigating allegations of misconduct, the broader context suggests a more troubling pattern: a government increasingly resorting to state power to silence opposition voices. The timing and nature of the summons add to the perception that legal instruments are being used selectively, raising doubts about the fairness of the investigative process.

The case has also reignited calls for urgent constitutional reforms and a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s independent institutions, which many now view as compromised. The targeting of opposition leaders under the guise of anti-corruption efforts is seen by observers as a tactic to intimidate and suppress political dissent.

As democratic space continues to shrink, the pressure on opposition figures grows. However, attempts to weaponize state institutions for political gain appear unlikely to deter the broader movement demanding accountability, rights, and democratic governance in the Maldives.