Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef has stated last night that if candidates from opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) are elected in the upcoming Local Council and Women's Development Committee elections, they would proceed to work against the government.
Ruling People's National Congress (PNC) last night inaugurated their HDh atoll campaign hub in Male'. Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice President said that MDP have been asking in their campaign events what they have done to obstruct the government. In response, he asked whether MDP supports government policies and whether they advise the public favourably regarding the implementation of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's decisions.
"Those contesting against us in the elections are also asking what they have done to obstruct the government. Or what challenges will be posed by electing them. What I want to ask them is, are their speeches at podiums today in support of the government? Whether they support government policies?"
The Vice President asserted that if MDP candidates were to be elected, they would doubtless work against the government. He added that this is what has been seen to date as well.
He went on to speak about the proposed merging of the presidential and parliamentary elections. According to VP Latheef, MDP itself had advocated for merging the two elections during their time in office. Despite this, they are now opposing the move. He questioned whether granting council seats to a party like that would serve to bring development to the country.
VP Latheef also asked the public to consider the way in which MDP criticizes the government. He conceded that it is the role of an opposition to hold the government accountable, but countered that MDP is not going about this in the democratically accepted way.
He accused MDP of deliberately hindering President Muizzu's efforts to bring stability through amendments to the law. As an example, he pointed out MDP's plans to protest the holding of the referendum on the merging of elections. Hussain said that MDP aims to create discord and unrest through this.
