The two biggest political parties in the Maldives, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) have decided to oppose postponing the local council elections any further.
ECM has allocated April 3 as the date for the rescheduled local council elections, following the ratification of the amendments to the Special Act on Local Council Elections to facilitate the elections to be held amid the State of Public Health Emergency. During the discussions held with political parties, ECM expressed it would be in the best interest of the nation to postpone the elections to June, given the extreme difficulties and challenges in holding the elections amid the health emergency. However, the main ruling party MDP and the main opposition party PPM have both expressed they are against postponing the elections any further.
Speaking to PSM News, Parliamentarian Ali Niyaz from MDP said the party does not endorse postponing the elections, adding the party wishes to hold the elections on the allocated date and speed up the process of empowering local councils in accordance to the amended the Decentralisation Act. Noting postponement brings further difficulties to candidates and parties, Niyaz said MDP hopes the elections can be held on the planned date in accordance to the guidelines set by Health Protection Agency (HPA). He said the HPA guidelines should help to resolve the challenges faced in conducting the elections.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General of the opposition coalition of PPM and People’s National Congress (PNC) Mohamed Tholaal said the opposition is ready to contest the elections in April. However, he said equal opportunity must be provided for all candidates to campaign.
One of the main concerns raised by parties regarding the HPA guideline was the difficulties in campaigning for the elections. As per the HPA guideline, anybody visiting an island for campaign must undergo quarantine for 10 days. In addition, election officials are also required to undergo quarantine for 10 days upon visiting islands.
ECM states conducting elections according to the current HPA guideline would create the opportunity to pose questions on the legitimacy of the election and may force a new election to be held. Therefore, ECM called on parties to consider the best option for the nation and the public in conducting the elections.