Malé, Maldives — Former MP and MDP candidate for Addu City mayor for the upcoming local council elections, Ali Nizar has stated that the government can save up to MVR 900 million if the Majilis is suspended for one year.
The statement from Nizar comes after the MP of Hoarafushi, Ahmed Saleem shared concerns over the upcoming local council elections, stating that the best option is to postpone the elections till June of this year as it will greatly reduce expenses during a time of financial difficulty for the country.
Nizar tweeted responding to this and stated that if the majilis is suspended for one year, the country will be able to save MVR 900 million during these difficult times. Nizar then questioned MP Saleem if he is willing to agree to it so the government can reduce the expenses.
While speaking at the parliament during the debate over the proposed amendments to the Sunset Act for the Local Council general election regulations, Saleem stated that holding the elections itself is costly, and holding the elections during a pandamic will require more expenses since disinfecting the voting facilities will take around MVR 3.5 million and keeping a thermometer next to every voting box will take approximately MVR 1.2 million as well. Saleem also stated that the PPE needed for every official to wear will take millions.
Saleem noted that the country is expected to receive the Covid-19 vaccine soon and that the government expects the inoculation programs to end by May of this year. Saleem stated that if the elections is postponed till June, then it can be carried out peacefully with less cost.
