Over the past one and half months, there have been numerous reports of intimidation, threatening workers, offering promotions, bribery, launching projects and awarding contracts.
As the people go to the polls tomorrow for the 20th People's Majlis, they will have to exercise their right to vote in an "extraordinary" environment. Independent state institutions and civil society organizations have highlighted this issue.
Since the launching of the campaign, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and his ruling People's National Congress (PNC) claim that a majority in Parliament is essential to fulfilling pledges. In other words, the President wants the executive and the legislative power to be under his full control.
Government watchdogs have condemned the President and the ruling party's remarks.
“It has been observed that there have been calls to elect a certain candidate to implement projects in certain areas and calls to elect a certain candidate to bring development to certain populations," the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) said in a statement on Friday.
HRCM said the legislature's powers are clearly defined and it is not about implementing development projects.
“While the mandate of the Parliament includes making laws for the people, passing the state budget and holding the government accountable, we have noticed that campaigning is carried out in a way that this mandate becomes confusing to the people."
HRCM also said President Dr. Muizzu's visit to the islands to inaugurate or announce projects could influence the vote.
"Since the announcement of the parliamentary elections [January 30], the President has visited more than 100 islands. As the head of state, it is important to visit islands and meet the people. Still, the inauguration of already completed projects, announcing new projects and signing new projects could influence the election,” the commission said.
There is also an atmosphere of threatening workers, buying votes and deception.
“There are reports of lies being spread about various candidates and political parties without intentional harm, bribery, vote buying, job intimidation, damage to campaign posters and campaign obstruction,” the HRCM said in a statement on April 14.
There is also a growing problem of candidates using state resources for their own benefit.
“While the law prohibits the use of state resources for private gain, there is an obvious legal vacuum to hold the person involved accountable,” the civil society organization Transparency Maldives said in a statement.
In addition, the HRCM issued a statement yesterday mentioning the government's support for certain candidates excluding the PNC candidates. The commission believes that this undermines the right to choose the candidate of choice.
“The coalition’s failure to support the candidates selected in the PPM-PNC primary and supporting other candidates for these constituencies is likely to undermine the right of the people to choose who represents them through democratic principles,” the statement said.
The people will go out to vote tomorrow in an environment of influence, intimidation and bribery. Whatever the outcome, this election is not being carried out in a free and fair environment. Many of the rights of voters have been lost.
