National Movement announces protests calling to reform independent institutions

Youth wing of the National Movement has announced today that they have decided to hold protests calling for the reform of independent institutions in the Maldives.

At a press conference held in Traders Hotel today, the movement accused the parliament and independent institutions of not providing enough support to address the irregularities surrounding the September 7th presidential elections.

The National Movement stated that Maldives has long had a culture of not having the courage of to voice out the truths about vote rigging and that they are working to make the people responsible for the irregularities in September 7th vote, accountable.

Speaking at the press conference, leader of the National Movement’s Youth Wing Sobah Rasheed accused authorities of having rigged the first round of the presidential polls.

He vowed that the National Movement will work until they “reach the outcome desired by the people” and said that they will “not go home until they receive answers.”

Elections Commission must not hold a second round of the elections before the issues surrounding the first round of polls are properly addressed, said Sobah Rasheed.

Jumhoory Party’s (JP) event coordinator Ahmed Gaabil also spoke at the press conference. He said that the aim of National Movement protests is not to humiliate the Elections Commission, but rather improve the trust between the citizens and the Commission.

Ahmed Gaabil stressed that the initiative to protest was not taken by a political party, but said that all political parties are welcome to participate.

Noting the many irregularities highlighted by JP regarding the elections, National Movement harshly criticized the Elections Commission during the press conference today.