MDP to Hold Congress in Tents After Government Refuses Venue in Malé

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has accused the government of obstructing its upcoming congress by refusing to provide a venue in Malé to hold the event.

During a press conference held today, MDP noted that they have decided to hold its congress in tents set up at the Malé City Council ground. The party said the government had allocated three schools as venues for the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) congress but refused to provide the same venues for the MDP’s congress. 

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PNC congress was held at the Social Centre from 15th to 18th September.  

MDP will now hold its congress from the 1st to the 3rd of October.

MDP officials said the congress will begin with an investment forum on Friday, followed by the main meeting on Saturday. 

The party’s Deputy Chairperson, Ibrahim Waheed, noted that their request to use Central Park for the event was rejected. He added that the administration also informed them that public schools could not be provided as the venue. 

“What we want to emphasise most is that no matter how many obstacles the government creates, or how hard they try to block the congress mandated by the Political Parties Act, we will press ahead.” 

The venue was made available through the Malé City Council, where the opposition MDP holds a majority.

At the conference, Deputy Chairperson (Financial), Mohamed Shifaz, said the government justified its refusal to provide school venues by claiming the facilities are not leased for political activities. However, he pointed out that the ruling PNC held its recent congress by shutting down the Social Centre and the entire surrounding area. 

“The governing party used Maafannu Madharusa, Hiriya School, and Thaajuddeen School for its congress, shutting down entire streets and an entire neighbourhood alongside the Social Centre complex. The state funds all political parties equally, and we are all governed by the same law,” he noted.

MDP clarified that it was unable to secure any venue in the Malé area, despite requesting Central Park to accommodate tents given its large capacity. However, the government denied the park request as well, maintaining that public facilities like schools are not leased for political purposes.

Despite facing major logistical hurdles and space constraints, Shifaz expressed strong confidence that the opposition party’s upcoming national congress will be a comprehensive success. 

He confirmed that delegate registration took place online from the 20th to the 25th of this month, with over 500 participants already registered through the portal, contributing to a total of 986 confirmed congress participants to date.

To facilitate the event, delegate congress kits will be distributed on the 29th and 30th of this month at the official MDP headquarters (Haruge). 

He assured that the party will maximise available space for participants and audience members inside, while also making arrangements for those who may need to observe the proceedings from outside the compound.

“During their congress, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu claimed that equal opportunities would be granted to all political parties. At that moment, the double standard was striking, denying us a venue for our congress while hosting their own at the Social Centre by taking over three schools in Malé”, stated MDP Deputy Chairperson Ibrahim Waheed.