Male’, Maldives— The Speaker of the Parliament, Mohamed Nasheed states that the parliament members who wish to campaign in the atolls of Maldives for the upcoming local council elections can request his assistance for approval to proceed with their campaigns.
Speaker Nasheed said that members of the parliament should be given the opportunity to campaign and upon request he will assist in getting the required clearances to travel for campaign purposes.
The statement from Speaker Nasheed comes after the MP of Maavashu constituency, Mohamed Saeedh submitted an emergency motion to the parliament calling the government to provide equal opportunities for the Opposition in the upcoming local council elections.
During the parliament meeting today, MP Saeedh stated that there are candidates taking advantage of the guidelines given by HPA with the help of the Ministers, parliament members who have influence in the government and other authorities of the government as well as those candidates are getting the opportunity to travel from one atoll to another to meet the citizens without the observing mandatory quarantine.
However, as the Opposition party candidates have not received any such opportunities, Saeedh accused the government of providing unfair advantage to the ruling party and exerting undue influence on the local council elections.
Saeedh called out the government to provide equal opportunities for all the candidates of all parties as unfair actions as mentioned are worrying the citizens.
The Opposition coalition had earlier requested the Elections Commission and the HPA to provide equal opportunities in campaigning for the upcoming local elections.
