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Opposition lodges complaints at EC over event restrictions

Shahudha Mohamed
08 November 2020, MVT 21:44
President of People’s National Congress Abdul Raheem Abdulla speaks at an opposition rally. PHOTO: MIHAARU
Shahudha Mohamed
08 November 2020, MVT 21:44

The opposition coalition of People’s National Congress (PNC) and Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) lodged complaints at the Elections Commission (EC) over difficulties in conducting political activities.

In a press conference held after submitting the issue to EC, PNC’s President Abdul Raheem Abdulla claimed that the travel restrictions set in place by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) intended to derail the coalition’s efforts to prepare for the upcoming local council elections scheduled for March 2021.

Adding that the authorities were using COVID-19 as an “excuse”, Abdul Raheem also accused authorities of allowing travel for members of the ruling coalition after restricting travel for members of the opposition coalition.

“Ministers, ruling party’s parliament representatives, and MD’s of companies are visiting islands and spending days there without any sort of social distancing”, the PNC President said.

He further went on to say that “the state’s actions make us feel like those traveling on state’s business are immune to COVID-19”.

Moreover, Abdul Raheem stated that PPM and PNC have yet to receive the full amount of funds allocated for the parties in the national budget. Due to this, he noted that the parties were facing difficulties in operations and organising events.

Therefore, he stated that the opposition requested EC to provide the funds as soon as possible.

The opposition coalition recently opened a fund box and introduced loyalty cards to pay off their fines and cover operational costs.

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