The ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) used its supermajority in the Parliament on Monday to reject an emergency motion submitted by the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) directing the government’s attention towards the damages sustained by people and businesses due to the massive power outage in the capital the previous day that lasted nearly six hours.
The power went out in the greater Male’ area, including Male’ City, Hulhumale’ and Hulhule’, at around 12:35 am Sunday, affecting tens of thousands of people living in the densely populated capital. The power was fully restored after nearly six hours at around 06:30 pm.
South Hulhumale’ MP Dr. Ahmed Shamheed submitted an emergency motion to the Parliament highlighting on concerns regarding the damages from the massive power outage.
But the motion was rejected 43-9 on Monday morning, as the Parliament reopened for the second session of the year after recess.
In his motion, the MDP lawmaker said that while electricity is a fundamental right enshrined in the law, the total blackout on Sunday disrupted normal life, businesses, and healthcare.
“The power going out from all places at once is something that has never happened before. The power going out in such a densely populated area is a very difficult situation for the people,” he said.
Shamheed also expressed concern over the potential damage to patients and medical equipment in hospitals from such a sudden blackout, as well as the inconvenience it caused travelers at the national airport located in Hulhule’.
The cause of the rare total blackout is under investigation by both the State Electric Company (STELCO) and the police.