Allegations are being made that cabinet ministers are intimidating MPs to vote for a certain MP as the Speaker of the parliament in return for development of their respectful constituencies.
Two MPs from main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) are at a stand-off in their bid to be elected as Speaker of the parliament, prompting unease and agitation among party members. It is believed that the party has been divided into two “factions” over the issue of the parliament vote.
While President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih stands on one side having endorsed longtime MDP member Hassan Afeef, former president Mohamed Nasheed stands on the other side, rooting for Mohamed Aslam as Speaker.
With opposing parties having already announced their support for Hassan Afeef, it has been rumored that senior government officials are contacting the newly elected MPs and requesting their support for Hassan Afeef in return for the development of their constituencies.
An MP who did not wish to disclose his name confirmed to AVAS that a cabinet minister contacted him seeking information on delayed projects in his constituency and projects that needed immediate attention. The minister had stated that work would commence on some projects shortly, as long as the MP voted for Hassan Afeef as Speaker, he revealed.
A tweet posted on Sunday by Galolhu-Uthuru MP Eva Abdulla, who supports Aslam for the Speaker position, read that it is unacceptable that cabinet ministers are setting a condition on MPs to vote for certain members in return for development projects.
Last Friday, a fake text message in Aslam’s name was circulated on social media. Speaking to AVAS regarding the incident, Aslam had earlier alleged that senior government officials were behind the message.
While popular social media platform Twitter is in a frenzy over the recent developments, Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail has urged all parties to refrain from making accusations against one another. Fayyaz added that while a peaceful campaign is possible, the current situation has now escalated out of hand.
Last night, a photo which is reportedly a screenshot of the MDP National Council Whatapp group was leaked on social media where former president Nasheed had stated that any division and disunity among the MDP Parliamentary Group would reflect negatively on the government, with its effect reaching the people. It would cause difficulties to President Solih and cabinet ministers, Nasheed had said.
While MDP’s PG group is preparing to take a vote on Monday on which candidate to endorse as Speaker, the first sitting of the 19th Parliament will convene on Tuesday night where a Speaker will be elected.
Some new and old members of the parliament with cabinet ministers
