Former president and parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed has accused MPs who left The Democrats of taking bribes and requested the police to investigate the matter.
With just two weeks left for the September 9 presidential election, two MPs have left The Democrats led by Nasheed to return to the ruling party. They are Thoddoo MP Hassan Shiyan and Kulhudhuffushi North MP Yasir Abdul Latheef.
Meanwhile, Fonadhoo MP Moosa Siraj left the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and endorsed the main opposition candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu contesting from the People's National Congress (PNC).
Nasheed on Saturday only made the bribery allegation against MDP's candidate President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih who is running for re-election.
He accused the President of using the state money to bribe Shiyan and Yasir to return to the MDP. The parliament confirmed to Adhadhu that the matter had been reported to the police.
“The Speaker of Parliament has filed a complaint with the police requesting them to look into the alleged act of bribery involving MPs switching political parties in the run-up to the presidential election,” parliament communication director Hassan Ziyau said.
When asked if Nasheed had received any documents or other evidence supporting the allegations and whether he had submitted such evidence to the police, Ziyau did not respond after viewing the message.
Police have not yet commented on the matter.
Both Yasir and Shiyan deny Nasheed's allegations that money was involved in switching the party.
