Shiyam: A ‘B’ report this time, changes being made to secure an ‘A’

Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam stated on Thursday that the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) received a "B” report in the recent Local Council and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections—a result the party does not consider acceptable.

Speaking at a PNC gathering held to celebrate the victory of the party’s candidates in the HA. Muraidhoo local council election, Minister Shiyam questioned whether the government could genuinely regard the nationwide polls as a success. He noted that although the party secured seats, its overall performance can be rounded off to a "B” report.

"I would say we received a “B” report this time. You can easily identify governments that have secured a “B” report in local council elections while in power," Shiyam remarked.

Shiyam underscored that the ruling party is striving for an "A”, adding President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu will accept nothing less. He added that, following the elections, the President has already begun engaging with and responding to concerns expressed by the public through their votes. He described the President’s willingness to heed the people’s voice as a defining feature of a healthy democracy.

"Is this not the most beautiful aspect of a democracy? We saw in the previous administration how they struggled to dismiss a minister even after corruption pertaining to state finances was exposed. They were indebted to one another. We witnessed a government where the President was held back by his obligations against his ministers even as drawers were emptied," Shiyam said.

The Minister also addressed the high voter turnout, noting that more than 75 percent of the population participated in the local council elections. He attributed this strong turnout to public confidence in the electoral system and in the integrity of the current administration.

He further highlighted that the public now trusts that the President will not exert undue influence over Elections Commission (EC).

"We lost the seat of one of our most important members in the country's largest city due to a Supreme Court ruling. What does this demonstrate? It shows the trust in the system," he added.

Minister Shiyam concluded by stating that what is being witnessed at present is the government is taking concrete steps to restore public trust that has been impacted, moving toward a more transparent and accountable administration.

The government experienced notable setbacks in the recent local council and WDC elections, as well as a national referendum. Candidates from the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) secured mayoral seats in all five cities – Malé, Addu, Fuvahmulah, Kulhudhuffushi, and Thinadhoo. MDP also won the presidency of the WDCs in all five cities. Additionally, 69 percent of voters rejected the constitutional amendment proposed by the current administration to merge the main two elections in the Maldives, the presidential and the parliamentary.