Several sources claim of a supposedly government-backed survey carried out prior to announcing the tentative winners' list for the apartments under state's initiated sheltering project.
Applicants who placed their forms to receive apartments from government executed housing scheme had apparently received phone calls inquiring about their political views and supporting party as well as their voting decision on 2018 Presidential Election.
Housing Ministry has publicized the winners of apartments with only the form numbers reflected on the lists - which according to Housing Minister Dr. Mohamed Muizzu was to protect the rights of applicants and to divert any clashes. Successful applicants were chosen from Male' Category one and two - which includes Male' residents and immigrants from atolls. Category one included 500 winners while category two had 161.
The case of the apartment winners' list bearing only the form numbers has fallen into heavy scrutiny with several individuals alleging of shady conduct and possible nepotism and favoring at play during selection process. Opposition had voiced their concern about the issue while criticizing the ministry's move to publicize only the form numbers, urging to release proper details - as they pondered on the possibility of corruption laced in the entire procedure.
Speaking to "Avas Online" an individual whose family had applied for the scheme, received a phone call from someone who identified themselves as representatives of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) asking them about their opinion regarding incumbent president Abdulla Yameen and the current government. This took place roughly weeks apart from submitting the form under the sheltering scheme.
According to sources several residences that had members submitting for the program received phone calls allegedly from PPM's Office. These phone calls were reported to have been made in around the end of August.
One such individual who received a similar phone called elaborated that the caller identified themselves as staffs of PPM's office, inquiring about the individual's political party of support to which they had retorted of taking a neutral stand. This was apparently followed by a lengthy monologue explaining reasons to support the incumbent president and the current government.
The call ended with "reason for inquiring this was because of several members living in one residence."
Another source confirmed of receiving a phone call a week prior to Housing Ministry announcing the winners' list for apartments. The individual was asked on vote casting decision for the upcoming presidential election on 2018.
The receiver of the call responded they had not placed a confirmed decision about the election. "I said I have not decided on how I will caste my vote in the 2018 presidential election, I did not receive an apartment but a relative of mine who had responded with their support to current government and PPM, they received an apartment" the individual stated.
While discrepancies and conflicts have risen about the winners' list - with several individuals alleging a government-led scandal involved in selection process - the issue has recently entered to Anti-Corruption Commission for probing.
