Nasheed: Distributing jobs didn’t work for Solih, will not work for incumbent administration either

Distributing jobs to win votes did not work for former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during his 2023 re-election campaign, and will not work for the incumbent administration either, says former President Mohamed Nasheed.

At a press conference on Tuesday morning, Nasheed, the chairperson of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), alleged that the incumbent administration of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu was focused on winning votes by distributing jobs.

But this has never worked in history, he said.

Nasheed alleged that former President Solih had attempted to win votes by distributing jobs during his 2023 re-election campaign, but was unsuccessful.

He said that President Muizzu’s administration also experienced defeat when it used the same tactic to win the local council elections and referendum on April 4.

“The wastage is extremely high. The government hopes to win votes through the jobs they are handing out. But there’s a truth that the government must accept. No administration has won votes by distributing jobs,” he said.

Speaking to reporters, Nasheed also highlighted on the proposed state budget of MVR 59.7 billion for next year.

The proposed budget, which was submitted to the Parliament on October 29 and is current under review, is heavy on recurrent expenditure, with MVR 42.7 billion or 81 percent of total MVR 52.6 billion in total expenditure allotted for it.

Nasheed noted that over 70 percent of the total budget is focused on covering recurrent expenditure.

He also expressed concern over the increased spending on the government payroll, with MVR 14.4 billion in salaries and allowances proposed for next years – marking a MVR 500 million increase from this year.

Nasheed also accused state companies, including utility companies, of over hiring.

One-megawatt powerhouses in some islands that aren’t even operational some 50 employees, while a five-megawatt powerhouse in resorts that are actually operational are run by some five employees, he said.