The Elections Commission’s claim that it would hold bi-elections for some constituencies is just ‘lip service’ aimed at pleasing a particular group of people, said the Maldivian Democratic Party’s deputy chairperson Ali Niyaz.

While speaking at Raajje Television’s ‘Fala-Surukhee’ programme on Tuesday night, Niyaz said that the Elections Commission has yet to initiate any of the logistical work required to hold said bi-elections.

Niyaz added that the Elections Commission has ‘thus far acted as a branch of the ruling party’ and that it had previously announced bi-elections before cancelling them as well.

“There is certain preparation that comes along with preparing for an election, there has to be logistical preparations like booking polling stations and providing information to voters” Niyaz said “None of these are being done”.

He further said that holding elections while there is a Supreme Court order which does not necessitate the removal of parliamentarians for floor-crossing, the basis for which they have lost their seats according to the commission, is unlawful and that the Elections Commission ‘knows this well enough’.

“Another thing is blatantly clear; this government is afraid of elections. They know they will lose by a landslide” Niyaz said, adding that the Elections Commission would do ‘all they can to delay polls’.

Niyaz continued to say that while six parliamentarians, who have lost their seats according to the commission, are barred from entering the parliament premises – the security forces will soon allow them in.