Ibrahim Falah, Parliamentary Group Leader of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) and campaign manager for the upcoming Local Council Elections, has alleged that serious issues have been identified within several city councils where the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) holds a majority and where mayors are affiliated with the party.
Falah made the remarks during a Tharaaveeh gathering held for the Ha. Hoarafushi constituency on Saturday night. Speaking at the Ramadan event, he highlighted the important role local councils play in delivering services to communities and implementing development initiatives across cities and islands.
According to Falah, councils are among the most vital institutions in ensuring that government services and development projects reach citizens efficiently. He stressed that council members must carry out their responsibilities with honesty and dedication, prioritizing the welfare of the people they represent.
Concerns Over Conduct in MDP-Led Councils
Falah cautioned that councilors entrusted with public responsibilities should not use development projects in their islands as a means to enrich themselves.
He claimed that a number of serious issues — including allegations of corruption — have surfaced in councils where the MDP holds the majority and where mayors are affiliated with the party. Falah noted that some of these matters had already been identified and reported to relevant authorities during the period when the MDP administration was still in power.
“If you look at cities across the Maldives today, the mayors of all cities are affiliated with the MDP. Many issues within councils where the party holds the majority — including corruption — were already under investigation even when the MDP was in government. Some of these issues are quite alarming,” Falah said.
He further accused MDP leaders of obstructing economic development and slowing the progress of island communities, while maintaining positions that he said were distant from the Maldives’ Islamic values and traditions.
Support for Same-Day National Elections
In his remarks, Falah also reiterated support for proposals to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on the same day.
He argued that the current six-month gap between the two elections creates an opportunity for the sitting president to influence parliamentary election outcomes. Holding both elections simultaneously, he said, would allow members of parliament to be elected more closely in line with the wishes of the public.
“In reality, when both elections are held on the same day, the sitting president would not have the time to influence parliamentary elections during that gap. This would ensure that parliamentary representatives are chosen more directly according to the will of the people,” Falah said.
Falah also described the six-month period between the two national elections as a time when newly elected governments tend to focus heavily on political campaigning rather than development work. Conducting both elections on the same day, he added, would eliminate this “lost time” and allow the government to focus fully on national development.
His remarks come as political parties prepare for the upcoming Local Council and Women’s Development Committee elections, which are expected to play a key role in shaping local governance across the Maldives.
