Former Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Vice President Mohamed Shifaz has said the public will respond to the current government through the ballot box, warning that attempts to influence elections through state power will fail.
Speaking to a local media outlet, Shifaz said past experience shows that public opinion cannot be changed by offering government jobs, regardless of how many positions are created. He also accused the administration of using employment and housing policies for political purposes in an effort to influence upcoming elections.
Shifaz said the government believes job creation guarantees electoral support, but noted that the outcome of the last presidential election proved this assumption wrong. He added that state influence is now visible across multiple sectors.
He also accused the government of deliberately weakening the private sector by restricting access to loans, saying the aim is to increase public dependence on the state and place economic pressure on citizens. Shifaz said such actions would ultimately be rejected by voters at the polls.
Speaking to a local media outlet, Shifaz said past experience shows that public opinion cannot be changed by offering government jobs, regardless of how many positions are created. He also accused the administration of using employment and housing policies for political purposes in an effort to influence upcoming elections.
Shifaz said the government believes job creation guarantees electoral support, but noted that the outcome of the last presidential election proved this assumption wrong. He added that state influence is now visible across multiple sectors.
He also accused the government of deliberately weakening the private sector by restricting access to loans, saying the aim is to increase public dependence on the state and place economic pressure on citizens. Shifaz said such actions would ultimately be rejected by voters at the polls.
