Kulhudhuffushi City Mayor Mohamed Athif had to seek police protection last night after supporters of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) obstructed his car.

Athif told Adhadhu that he was on the way to meet someone when PNC supporters surrounded his car and obstructed the vehicle.

"So, I had to seek police protection. Now I am at home," Athif said.

"The PNC members are doing such uncivilised things because they know they will lose the election by a large margin."

Police confirmed that they provided protection for the mayor of the northern city.

"The mayor has been brought to the police station for protection. Police media will continue to share more information as soon as the information is confirmed," police spokesperson Ahmed Shifan said.

Police did not say whether they were investigating the PNC members who obstructed the mayor.

Athif is a fierce critic of President Mohamed Muizzu

Appearing on Adhadhu's Fenna Nufenna talk show on Sunday night (March 15), Athif spoke about the government's failed promises and the referendum scheduled for April 4.

He accused the government of obstructing the city's development by refusing to allow the council to carry out a 150-unit housing project.

"No resident of Kulhudhuffushi will believe that the council would obstruct any development coming to the city. President [Mohamed Muizzu] still has very old beliefs," he said.

None of the major promises made to Kulhudhuffushi has seen progress, Athif said. These include 3,400 housing units, a sports complex and expansion of health services.

He also said that the constitutional amendment to merge the presidential and parliamentary elections is a plot to undermine the Maldives' democratic system.

"I think we should have more elections. I think the elections for councils and the Women's Development Committees should be held separately. The system should be designed so that there are elections every year," he said.

He also responded to the government’s claim that merging the elections would save MVR 50 million, saying political staff in foreign embassies alone cost more than MVR 50 million, which was too much waste.

“They are trying to undermine the democratic system in the Maldives and establish a dictatorship by overpowering the people with such nonsense," Athif said.