A party member who threatened opposition supporters working at the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) factory in Lhaviyanu Felivaru has been reprimanded, the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) has said.
PNC member Ahmed Abdul Rahman (Hunter Ahmed) called for the intimidation of Felivaru workers while speaking from the PNC podium at a rally held in Lhaviyani Hinnavaru on Friday. The incident is under investigation by the Elections Commission (EC).
When journalists started questioning the PNC media group whether any action had been taken against Ahmed, spokesperson Heena Waleed said action had been taken but that "every single action taken" does not need to be informed to the media. Heena's message was sent on Monday morning.
However, when the question was raised again at a press conference held later in the day, Heena said the member had been advised not to repeat such rhetoric.
"It was something said by a regular member at a podium. The question is what action has been taken over the remarks. We have advised him not to repeat it any further," she said.
Meanwhile, at a PNC campaign event in Haa Alif Dhidhdhoo on Sunday night, Abdulla Rasheed, the assistant manager of the island's Fenaka branch, called for cutting electricity from the homes of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) supporters on the island.
"It's lucky that they're given electricity. Electricity should be provided after identifying these houses. We should only provide electricity to party people until the end of the election," Abdulla Rasheed had said.
Heena said the PNC leadership is looking into the case, after which disciplinary action would be decided. The ruling coalition also released a statement on Monday strongly condemning the remarks.
"His remarks are not the policy of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and not the policy of this party either. We note that President Muizzu's policy is to provide essential services to the public without discrimination based on a specific political ideology," PNC posted on its official X account.
The PNC is contesting in 90 constituencies in next Sunday's parliamentary election. With MPs to be elected for 93 constituencies, the main rivalry is between the PNC and MDP. The main opposition party fielded candidates for 89 constituencies.
