Peoples National Congress (PNC) and Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has said that the current circumstances in Maldives do not allow a fair and independent election. Both parties have therefore requested a delay in upcoming Parliamentary elections.

The MP for Fonadhoo constituency and interim Leader of the People’s National Congress (PNC) Abdul Raheem Abdulla said this at a joint press conference with Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). He said that a letter requesting a delay in the upcoming elections have been sent to both Parliament and the Elections Commission.

Speaking at the press conference held by both parties, the “Progressive Coalition” MP Abdul Raheem said that the delay has been requested due to the belief that the current circumstances in Maldives do not allow a fair and independent election.

He added that putting the opposition leader in prison and withholding funds from a political party are acts of influencing the election.

Majority Leader of Parliament Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik spoke at the press conference and said that throwing a political leader in prison with the elections just around the corner is not democratic. He added that this is not how the situation is, in any other country around the world.

MP Nihan further said that putting an opposition leader in prison exposes the inability of the government. Nihan said that this is however a government that was brought about under the pretense of liberating and the Maldivian people from tyranny and righting the wrongs.  

While the “Progressive Coalition” has requested for a delay in the upcoming Parliamentary elections, PPM leader and former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has been sentenced to detention by the Criminal Court until trial on charges of money laundering is concluded.