Government: No one dismissed to influence election

The government on Tuesday said that no dismissals have been made with the intention of influencing Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) internal elections, or any other elections.

Some of MDP’s leadership, including Speaker and former President Mohamed Nasheed, accuse that the Senior Administrator at R. Ungoofaaru Health Centre Amir Ahmed’s dismissal was linked to the upcoming elections in the party.

They accused that he was terminated due to his support for North Maafannu MP Imthiyaz Fahumee, who has contested for the post of MDP’s Chairperson.

Nasheed warned on Sunday against the dismissal of the party’s members serving political posts in connection to elections, and went as far as to say in the party’s national council WhatsApp group, “If you are to dismiss them, dismiss me as well.”

Additionally, he accused President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of influencing the elections.

Responding to these allegations, the Spokesperson for President’s Office Mabrook Azeez said that action was taken against the employee in question after he went against the responsibilities of his job.

He noted that a petition signed by numerous citizens of the island as well as a letter from a private party was received that all stated that he was acting against the responsibilities of his position.

Additionally, Mabrook said that prior to the dismissal, the complaints against him were investigated, and action was taken in accordance with the regulations that needed to be followed such instances.  

An emergency motion was filed by Ungoofaaru MP Mohamed Waheed on Tuesday morning at the Parliament over the dismissal.

The motion stated that although powers are granted to the President under Article 115 of the Constitution – that declared the powers and responsibilities of the President - those powers must be used responsibly. It further stated that when dismissing from employment, it should be done justly, without any discrimination.

The motion was accepted into the Parliament with 23 voting in favour. Three members voted against it. Debates for it has commenced now.

The most highly contested seat in the upcoming MDP elections is that of the party’s chairperson. The seat is being contested by Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail and MP Imthiyaz.

Some believe the election is also a competition between President Solih and Nasheed - where Fayyaz is believed to be backed by the President, while Imthiyaz is believed to be backed by Nasheed. 

However, neither President Solih nor Nasheed has publicly declared support for any candidate.