Islamic Minister Dr. Mohahmed Shaheem Ali Saeed and Education Minister Dr. Ismail Shafeeu campaigned in the Gaaf Dhaal Vaadhoo and Gadhdhoo constituency for an independent candidate for parliament despite the People’s National Congress (PNC) fielding a ruling party candidate for the constituency, Adhadhu has learned.
Ahmed Rasheed (Hanvee), who led Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) campaign activities in Gadhdhoo during the past three elections, told Adhadhu that Ministers Shaheem and Shafeeu visited the island to campaign for Mohamed Ali.
“While there is a candidate who was elected in this constituency’s primary, the ministers are campaigning for a candidate who is contesting as an independent. Isn’t this so regrettable? The people of this island are not happy with the government’s actions,” Ahmed Rasheed said.
In the PNC primary on January 27, Mohamed Shafeeq (Maha) won the Gadhdhoo constituency Majlis ticket. However, Mohamed Ali, a relative of Education Minister Shafeeu, launched his campaign as an independent by telling the public that he was the candidate endorsed by the government.
PNC primary winner Shafeeq.
When the ministers arrived in Gadhdhoo on Friday, the people of the island displayed the “empty seat” used during the presidential campaign to symbolize former President Abdulla Yameen’s absence, reminding them of the former leader. A video of the incident has been circulating on social media. Independent candidate Mohamed Ali could be seen alongside Shaheem and Shafeeu in the video.
Independent candidate Mohamed Ali.
Mohamed Ali was the first to greet Dr. Shaheem and Shafeeu when they arrived in Gadhdhoo. The ministers visited some homes and cafes with Mohamed Ali, a source from the island told Adhadhu. The pair then went to Vaadhoo, according to Ahmed Rasheed, which was confirmed to Adhadhu by Hussain Rasheed from Gadhdhoo.
“Mohamed Ali came to us and said I’m not contesting from a party but I’m coming to work with the government. Shameem [and Shafeeu] were alongside him when he said all that but they didn’t say anything,” Hussain Rasheed said.
A special meeting was due to take place in Gadhdhoo on Friday night after the ministers returned from Vaadhoo, Ahmed Rasheed told Adhadhu.
On Thursday, two President’s Office ministers declared that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu supports Thimarafushi MP Abdulla Riyaz’s brother Ahmed Riyaz instead of the Progressive Congress Coalition's candidate for the Thimarafushi constituency.
Ahmed Riyaz is contesting as an independent in next month’s elections for the 20th People’s Majlis.
The PNC ticket for the constituency was awarded without a primary to President Muizzu’s former personal secretary Ibrahim Sanah (Santo). A certificate confirming the ticket was also handed to Sanah.
However, a video circulating on social media showed President’s Office Ministers Adam Rameez and Abdulla Nasir saying that Riyaz was the government candidate and providing assurances on behalf of President Muizzu. The two ministers were President Muizzu’s closest aides when they worked together in the Male’ city council.
