MDP supporters will go to uninhabited island before President

Supporters of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in Th. Thimarafushi have decided to temporarily go to an uninhabited island before President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik arrives in Thimarafushi today.

This decision was made in anticipation of unrest being caused as a result of the President’s visit to Thimarafushi. Most supporters of MDP are preparing to walk to Hiriyan Fushi at 16:00 today.

Former Thimarafushi MP and MDP candidate for Thimarafushi by-election, which is scheduled for tomorrow, accused the President of having planned his trip for the day before the election to influence the election proceedings.

He said that the purpose of the President’s visit to an island where majority of people support MDP, is to ‘provoke unrest’ by MDP supporters, and arrest them tonight so that they are not able to cast their votes tomorrow.

“Earlier, Thimarafushi people had decided against allowing Waheed on the island. But I came here and told them, don’t do that, their aim is to arrest you. After I talked to them, they have agreed not to protest against Waheed,” Mustafa said.

Police Media Official said that Police will patrol the islands during the by-elections, and will put an end to any attempt to create violence. Based on intelligence, more Police personnel may be deployed to some islands.

Currently, the most number of Police personnel is in Th. Thimarafushi, compared to Th. Guraidhoo and Th. Gaadhiffushi. Police said that as events develop, officers will be deployed to islands based on the situation.

Supporters of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) in Thimarafushi are preparing to welcome the President. Several ministers and parliamentary group members of the government coalition are accompanying the president on his trip to Thaa atoll.

The President visited Guraidhoo yesterday; and Gaadhiffushi, Veymandoo and Omadhoo today.