MP Inthi accuses government of election manipulation

North Maafannu MP Imthiyaz Fahmy (Inthi) has submitted a resolution to the Parliament, accusing the government of manipulating elections.

Inthi, a politician loyal to MDP leader and Parliament speaker Mohamed Nasheed, presented the resolution during the parliamentary sitting on Tuesday.

Inthi said that the government has failed to sufficiently address concerns raised by organizations and politicians regarding government interference in elections.

He urged the government to deliver on its pledge of ascertaining free and fair elections.

In his resolution, Inthi stressed that the government is legally mandated to ascertain free and fair elections.

He accused the government of manipulating elections by increasing political appointments to state-owned enterprises ahead of elections, and of coercing government employees into campaigning for the government.

Inthi also accused the government of using the state media to promote candidates sponsored by the government and deny opportunities to other candidates.

He accused the government of threatening businesses to terminate government contracts if they refuse to back government-sponsored candidates.

MPs loyal to Nasheed have become increasingly vocal in their criticism of the government.