Ziyad back in MDP, EC to take action against perpetrators

Vaikaradhoo MP and opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) member Hussain Ziyad's forged party membership form switching him to ruling People's National Congress was processed due to an error in the alert system, said the Elections Commission today.

Speaking to Mihaaru, MP Ziyad, who also serves as the Deputy Parliamentary Group Leader of MDP, said the discovery was made when they looked further into multiple reports of party switches in Vaikaradhoo, without the individuals' knowledge.

The Elections Commission issued a statement regarding the matter shortly after it came to light. In it, the commission said that the membership form has been voided upon receiving the complaint and that his party membership status will remain in MDP.

According to the Maldivian Constitution, a parliament member would lose their seat if they change political parties or are expelled from their party.

The commission also assured that the matter would be investigated and due action would follow.

"The commission is taking necessary steps to further strengthen the administrative procedures regarding the case. And [the commission] assures that administrative and legal arrangements will be made to prevent this from repeating," the statement read.

EC member Hassan Zakariyya told Mihaaru that the commission has an internal alert system when individuals holding electoral positions submit forms to join political parties.

Zakariyya also noted an oversight following the expiry of the 19th Parliament, where all members were removed from the list, and the new members of the 20th Parliament were re-elected. Since Ziyad was elected in the second term, his name was missed from the list, Zakariyya explained.

"The commission was not alerted when [he was] removed from the 19th Parliament's list," he said.