MDP Calls for ACC President’s Resignation Over Election Influence Claims

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) called for the resignation of the President of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Ahmed Shamil, during a demonstration staged at the ACC office, citing the commission’s alleged refusal to investigate claims of government influence in the elections scheduled for Saturday.

The MDP held the demonstration today following what it described as a lack of response from the ACC regarding a corruption case submitted by the party. The complaint alleges that the government is attempting to influence the upcoming elections.

Speaking to the media at the ACC, former MDP parliamentarian for Hulhumalé and Deputy Campaign Manager for the Local Council Election, Ali Niyaz, criticised President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, raising concerns over recent actions and their implications for democratic governance.

4 އޭޕްރިލް 2026 ގައި ބޭއްވުމަށް ހަމަޖެހިފައިވާ އިންތިޚާބުތަކަށް ސަރުކާރުން ނުފޫޒު ފޯރުވަމުން ދާއިރު އޭސީސީއިން އެއްވެސް ފިޔަވަޅެއް ނާޅާ ހަނު ތިބޭތީ އެކަމާއި ކަންބޮޑުވުން ފާޅު ކުރުމަށް އެމްޑީޕީއިން މިވަގުތު އޭސީސީގައި.#HeyvallaThayyaaru#GearUp#LCE2026#WDC2026#VoteMDP… pic.twitter.com/TtiYNK2qt5— MDP Secretariat (@MDPSecretariat) April 1, 2026

“Our concern is that the state is in a certain order. When the constitution was drafted in 2008, we drafted a constitution that separated the three powers and allowed independent institutions to function independently, which has been in effect for the past 18 years,” Niyaz said.

“However, the sudden actions of President Muizzu show that [the president feels like] he finds it very troublesome that a democracy exists within the Maldives. That he is very troubled by the fact that this article or that article appears in the constitution in certain ways. These were not designed to make things easier or difficult for the person who comes to power,” he added.

Concerns over the Election Process

The Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) is set to hold three votes simultaneously on Saturday, including the Local Council Election, the Women’s Development Committee (WDC) election, and a public referendum on proposed constitutional amendments.

During the demonstration, Niyaz further criticised the ECM, alleging inconsistencies in information provided to election officials during training compared to official guidelines. They further raised concerns over the decision not to place ballot boxes in resorts, industrial islands, and overseas locations, stating this could limit voter participation.

“This issue will become clear when people go to vote. On that day, when they see the ballot papers, they will understand. This information should have been made public and easily accessible to everyone. Different information is given during training, and then something different occurs at the polling station, where voters are asked which election they wish to vote in. When have elections ever been conducted this way? With three separate ballots, why ask the voters what issue they want to vote for? It is the authorities who have decided to hold three elections, not the voters,” Niyaz said.

He also alleged that arrangements had been made in a way that could reduce voter turnout and mislead voters at polling stations.

“From the beginning, arrangements have been made to ensure fewer people can vote, not putting vote boxes abroad, in resorts, or on industrial islands. After taking away the right to vote for so many people, they are still attempting to mislead the citizens in the polling stations,” he said.

“If they are doing things like this, the Elections Commission should announce now that Raees Muizzu has won. There is no need to bring out the citizens and to make them vote,” he added.

Background

Maldivian Democratic Party National Assembly member Ahmed Saleem (Maaz Saleem) said to MV+ today that the party had initially submitted a case to the Elections Commission of Maldives, requesting an investigation into alleged attempts by the government and state institutions to influence the upcoming election.

He said the complaint included allegations that employees of Fenaka Corporation were being transferred to other islands in cases where their voting preferences were uncertain. He also referred to a meeting held at Muliaage, where President Dr Mohamed Muizzu met with residents of Sinamalé Flats and Hiyaa Flats.

During this meeting, the government announced an allowance of MVR 100,000 for residents, citing unresolved structural issues and deterioration of the buildings, as well as the waiver of penalties for non-payment. He said the MDP views this as an attempt to influence voters, noting that Moosa Ali Jaleel, the mayoral candidate of the People’s National Congress (PNC), was present despite holding no official government position.

Saleem said the Elections Commission informed the party that the matter fell outside its mandate and advised that it be submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). However, he cited Article 21(a) of the Elections Commission Act, which states that the Commission is responsible for ensuring elections are conducted fairly and without corruption.

He added that the MDP subsequently submitted the case to the ACC but has not received any updates on the matter.