The Elections Commission (EC) is no longer independent and is under the direct influence of President Mohamed Muizzu, former Vice President of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Mohamed Shifaz has said.

Shifaz, a former minister and MP, said the EC's decisions on the April 4 local council elections and the referendum are designed to reduce people's participation and benefit the government.

"I don't believe this is a fair election. One of the biggest concepts in a fair election is to give the people the opportunity to participate as widely as possible," Shifaz said.

He described the decision not to place polling stations abroad and in resorts as a “fraudulent” attempt to change the outcome of the local council elections.

“It is very clear that the members of the Elections Commission are trapped in influence,” he said on Adhadhu's Fenna Nufenna talk show.

"The members of the Elections Commission said they feel guilty about the situation at the moment. There is no engagement between the political parties and the EC. They have no other option. They want the salary from the state payroll," he added.

Shifaz further said that the EC does not believe that it is its responsibility to educate the people about the referendum.

“So we asked them whether the law states that membership of political parties must be carried out through a thing called eFaas."

President Mohamed Muizzu recently said that the EC began using the eFaas after a request from the government.