The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s National Executive Committee (NEC) has passed a resolution outlining 12 demands, calling on the government to address the issues immediately.
Speaking at a press conference held yesterday, South Galolhu MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem said the results of the recent local council elections, along with government-proposed referendums, reflected a significant decline in public trust. He said the outcomes indicated that the public had rejected excessive state spending and the spread of fraud and corruption within the government.
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Meekail further stated that the consolidation of executive powers under a single individual weakens the fundamental principles of democracy, and stressed the need for reforms to strengthen good governance.
The resolution includes the following demands:
- Returning the power to appoint presidents of independent institutions to the People’s Majlis
- Reforming arrangements that allow projects to be awarded without a bidding process
- Annulment of legislative changes that remove parliamentary seats based on voting decisions or party disciplinary action
- Revising laws to ensure financial empowerment of local councils
- Expediting investigations into alleged corruption within the government
- Disclosing the number of political appointments, including details of appointments to state-owned companies and promotions over the past six months
- Providing fuel subsidies to fishermen in light of challenges linked to the Middle East conflict
- Reforming the Judicial Service Commission and ensuring judicial independence
- Removing current heads of institutions such as the Anti-Corruption Commission and Elections Commission and appointing qualified individuals
- Reducing state expenditure and disclosing reforms related to the current economic situation
- Establishing a system to prevent constitutional amendments without consultation through a special committee involving political parties and civil society organisations
- Halting projects that harm the environment and restoring environmental protection powers to the Environmental Protection Agency
Following the resolution, MDP supporters took to the streets on Wednesday night in protest against the government.
