Chief Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundhu) has stated last night that changes were brought to the government's organizational structure in response to results received in the recent Local Council Elections. 

Following the significant loss of support received by ruling People's National Congress in the April 4 elections, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has reduced the number of ministries from 20 to 15, and appointed four new ministers. These changes came in the wake of 10 cabinet ministers abruptly resigning last week. 

Speaking on State media PSM's 'Raajje Miadhu' program, Mundhu said that regardless of how the election results are interpreted, the President had stated that he would listen to the people and bring changes within the administration. 

"In a very transparent manner, to state this clearly, this is directly related to the elections that were recently held," Mundhu, appointed as Spokesperson last Wednesday, said. 

Mundhu said that this is not a change just for the sake of a change on the part of the President. 

Rather, this was deeply considered and weighed before President Muizzu decided on ways in which the organizational structure could be further strengthened. 

"This isn't musical chairs. This isn't just one person getting up, and another being seated in the spot. If viewed analytically, you will realize that the structure itself has changed," Mundhu said. 

Some ministries were dissolved, while others were merged, the Spokesperson stressed. 

Mundhu further rejected claims that the change had been brought to reduce the hundreds of political appointees. 

He retorted that the change was not meant to take away anyone's jobs, but rather was in direct response to the people's sentiments as shown through the election results.

Mundhu also responded to opposition's criticisms about the sudden change in the cabinet. 

He claimed that while Presidents are elected to serve the nation, changing the cabinet as fits the circumstances is not something that warrants criticism.