Transparency Maldives expressed concern in a statement released last night over the government's alleged abuse of state resources to unduly influence yesterday's parliamentary elections.
The election was generally well-administered, Transparency said in the statement. However, the NGO said it observed many attempts over recent days to influence the vote.
Transparency's statement noted projects announced by government agencies and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in the 48 hours before the elections.
"Ceremonies held to mark the awarding or inauguration of at least six development projects, worth over MVR 680 million, posted on the official social media accounts of State-Owned Enterprises and Government Ministries with 48 hours to go for Election Day," the statement read.
The Transparency statement also expressed concern with the government transferring the jurisdiction of different lagoons and uninhabited islands to the administrative areas of three islands four days before the elections.
The Transparency statement about SOEs and government agencies unduly influencing the elections came after the government awarded several projects to the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) in the four days before the polls.
Projects awarded to MTCC
- Airport development in Shaviyani Komandoo
- Airport development in Thaa Guraidhoo
- Airport development in Thaa Vilifushi
- Airport development in Shaviyani Milandhoo
- Airport development in Shaviyani Bilehfahi
- Construction of 75 housing units in Meemu Dhiggaru
- Land reclamation in Kaafu Giraavaru and Gulhifalhu lagoons
- Land reclamation in Thaa Kibidhoo
- Airport development in Haa Alif Dhidhdhoo
- Road construction in Haa Alif Hoarafushi
In addition, just 17 hours before polls opened, MTCC was contracted to build hospitals n Raa Alifushi, Noonu Manadhoo and Meemu Muli.
Projects to build 50-bed hospitals in Muli and Manadhoo were awarded for MVR 185 million each to be completed in two years. A 30-bed hospital is to be built in Alifushi for MVR 128 million in 730 days.
In addition to the moves in recent days, while voting was underway, the government placed portions of a lagoon in the north of Alif Alif Rasdhoo atoll under the jurisdictions of the Thoddoo and Rasdhoo islands.
Portions of the lagoon were transferred to the administrative areas of Thoddoo and Rasdhoo by a decree issued by the President at 11:28 am on Sunday morning.
The Transparency statement also expressed concern over the "amendments brought on Election Day to two administrative areas by Presidential Decree."
Other concerns included an announcement 20 hours before polls opened to provide housing and housing loans to those who were “deprived of” housing under the previous government’s social housing projects.
Transparency highlighted a press release by the Housing Ministry to specifically provide housing to those who did not secure housing under the TATA housing flats in 2010.
Transparency deployed observers across the country and abroad in Colombo, Sri Lanka and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the parliamentary elections.
