Deputy Speaker of Parliament Moosa Manik has stated efforts are being exerted to abolish the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), with the parliamentary elections scheduled for March 2019.
Debating on the report submitted by Committee on Independent Institutions on appointing a member for Civil Service Commission, Deputy Speaker Moosa Manik stated individuals opposing the ideology of the government are serving as civil servants, adding they should not be marginalised or removed from their positions. Noting the ruling coalition talks about democracy, Moosa Manik stated paving way to abolish the opposition party quoting peace and harmony should not be allowed.
Moreover, Moosa Manik called to respect the 96,000 people who voted for PPM in the presidential election held last September and to give space for an opposition ideology. He also noted the importance of concluding the case against PPM to confirm the validity of its current leadership, in order to give the chance for its candidates to contest in the upcoming elections.