A leaked audio recording has exposed what appears to be a deliberate effort by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to use state jobs as a tool to influence the outcome of upcoming votes, further reinforcing concerns of political manipulation and abuse of power within his administration.

The audio features a conversation between Ibrahim Didi, a ruling party MP for South Feydhoo constituency, and several locals. In the recording, Didi describes instructions allegedly given directly by President Muizzu regarding how government jobs should be distributed in the lead-up to the vote.

According to Didi, the president has made it clear that jobs should not be handed out to "single individuals" but only to those with a strong support base who can deliver votes. The message is unmistakable: government positions are to be treated as political currency, awarded to individuals who can mobilize families and communities in favor of the administration.

Didi emphasizes that Muizzu wants jobs given to people with “teams”,, influential families who will follow instructions and vote accordingly. The objective, as described in the audio, is to secure election victories by strategically rewarding those who can sway collective support, not based on merit or public service needs.

This audio recording suggests a coordinated and calculated effort to use public sector employment to manipulate electoral outcomes. By selectively allocating jobs to loyalists capable of influencing group votes, the government appears to be undermining the integrity of democratic processes.

The timing of this revelation is particularly significant, as Addu City prepares for a referendum on October 25. The vote will determine whether separate councils will be established in Hulhudhoo, Meedhoo, and Feydhoo, an issue that has sparked division among residents. The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has criticized the referendum, arguing it was announced without adequate public awareness or consultation, and that the process is being rushed to benefit the ruling party’s political agenda.

As both the referendum and upcoming local council elections approach, concerns are growing over how the government is leveraging state resources for political gain. The leaked audio has only added fuel to the perception that jobs are being distributed not to improve governance or address unemployment, but to buy political loyalty and tilt the electoral playing field in favor of the Muizzu administration.

This incident raises serious questions about transparency, misuse of public funds, and the politicization of government institutions. It paints a troubling picture of a government more focused on consolidating power through patronage than on serving the public in a fair and impartial manner.