Feydhoo South MP Ibrahim Didi (IB) has said that President Mohamed Muizzu wants to give jobs to families of those who will vote for separate councils for three islands in Addu city.
Muizzu has announced a referendum to be held later this month in Addu to divide the southern city's council. Government officials are campaigning in Addu as the vote nears.
MP Didi from the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) met with the people of Feydhoo and said the President has ordered not to give jobs to individuals at this time and to focus on big families.
"He [Muizzu] said, the vote is here now. Nobody should ask us for jobs at this time, single individuals (without a big family)," he stated.
He added that only strong, influential individuals with a big family or team can get jobs during this period.
"We give a big job and the person just comes to us alone. There is nothing else to offer," the MP explained the reason for Muizzu's decision.
Didi's son, Home Minister Ali Ihusaan is also campaigning in Addu.
Muizzu claimed that the government does not have a specific stand for the October 25 vote, but his officials have been campaigning while he is expected to visit Addu as well.
Meanwhile, the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has raised concerns as the referendum was announced abruptly without an awareness campaign on the implications of the vote.
The referendum will ask Addu people whether they want separate councils for Hulhudhoo, Meedhoo and Feydhoo.
According to the provisional voters list released by the Elections Commission (EC), 9,577 people are eligible to vote.
