MDP MPs ask for official definition of "undue influence" in elections

MDP parliamentarians have asked for a definition of what specifically falls under 'undue influence' on an election. MPs said that the government is mandated to provide services to the citizens without interruption, and questioned at what point such efforts of the government can be construed as exerting undue influence on an election. Speaking in the debate on Maafannu North MP Imthiyaz Fahmy's resolution to ensure free and fair elections, majority leader and Hithadhoo North MP Mohamed Aslam said that there needs to be a clear demarcation of where undue influence on elections by the government can be identified. "For example, when the government raises salaries of 9000 people working in the education sector, you can raise the question whether this is an attempt to exert undue influence," Aslam said. He went on to question if providing free degrees for undergraduates, establishing sewerage systems in over a 100 islands could be classified as 'undue influence' on the part of the government. He claimed that the biggest undue influence of September's presidential election was the spread of unfounded tales and rumours about the government by the opposition. Henveiru South MP Hussain Shaheem (Andhun Hussain) stated that he found it saddening that the opposition could not stomach the fact that the government had brought an end to people in the atolls having to beg for clean water, and so resorted to allegations of election influence. In response to claims that government companies are failing to settle bills, Shaheem said that there was no law or regulation stipulating that bills and debts need to be settled before a change in administration. Thinadhoo South MP Abdulla Saneef reiterated that there is no clear definition of what constitutes as 'undue influence' on an election by any incumbent government. Saneef pointed out that the parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held four months into President Elect Dr Mohamed Muizzu's administration. He said that in such a situation, Muizzu will also come out to try and ascertain their party gets a parliamentary majority. "How do we decide whether that is causing undue influence or not? On one hand, it is something he must do as the party leader. On the other, he is then serving as the President," Saneef asked. Some MPs alleged that all governments have committed acts which fall under exerting undue influence. They went on to say that results of the past presidential elections showed that such actions are ineffective.