MDP to hold rally 'in defence of the Constitution'

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party is preparing to hold a large rally on December 10 'in defence of the Constitution'.

The party is holding the rally to voice out against what it terms the irrational policies of the incumbent government and the recent amendment to the Constitution which now stipulates that members of parliament will lose their seats if they change parties, are dismissed or leave their parties, or if an independent MP joins a party.

Titled "Citizens in defence of the Constitution", the rally is planned to be held at the Carnival area on December 10. December 10 also coincides with International Human Rights Day and National Fishermens' Day.

Preparations for the rally were announced in last night's meeting at the party hub. In speeches there, party members said that ages after citizens were treated as slaves of leaders, today it is again becoming the norm to narrow down the rights and freedoms of people.

Another claimed that the government is clueless in managing the economy, and asserted that the government is working towards stripping the citizens of their individual freedoms.

They voiced concerns that this was resulting in adversely affecting people's standard of living and bringing down the country's economy.

Also claimed were that the government's dissatisfactory policies were damaging the tourism and fisheries industries, raising fears that the industries may be driven to shutting down.

The party said that these are all concerns raised by the public, and reasserted that MDP has, and will, remain with the people.

They announced the party is ready to commence work to stand up in defence of the constitution and to protect citizens' rights.