MDP, which I considered part of me, earlier tried to dismiss and discard me: Fuad Thaufeeg

In a rare, uninhibited statement, President of the Elections Commission Fuad Thaufeeq has alleged that Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which he has always felt an affinity for, had earlier tried to dismiss him from his position and unceremoniously discard him.

A number of members of the Elections Commission had attempted to remove Fuad from his position during a difference of opinion that arose at the time when former President Mohamed Nasheed left MDP and created his breakaway party, The Democrats.

Speaking at Monday's meeting of the parliament's Committee on Independent Institutions, Fuad alleged that MDP had been behind the three members who had worked from within the commission to have him dismissed from his position.

Fuad declared that, while the party had acted in this manner, were he not in charge of an independent institution, he would, in fact, share the party's ideology.

Democrats Parliamentary Group (PG) Leader Ali Azim implied in this meeting that the Elections Commission was acting against the committee advise and in allegiance with government preferences.

Fuad responded by sharing his experiences after refusing to bow down to government pressures in 2014, when he had been serving in the same position. He reminded Azim that he, too, at the time as MDP PG Leader, had presented Fuad with high praise and words of encouragement.

"At the time Supreme Court had decided that I had disrespected them and to imprison me if I refused to be obedient, and to let me remain in my post for a year if I did stay obedient. Because I might not be able to be obedient, I left the country for a year," Fuad said.

Fuad pointed out that, although the parliament had said at the time that this decision was unlawful, it had failed to do anything about it. Fuad went on to say that he had failed to receive justice even later on, when MDP won the presidency.

Fuad asserted that, learning from this experience, he had acted with supreme caution ever since then, once he became President of the Elections Commission again.

He said that in his capacity as President of EC, all political parties are of equal standing to him. He pointed out that members of both MDP and The Democrats are people who, at the beginning, had worked closely with him, with shared values.

He further said that in registering The Democrats, he had worked to expedite the matter, but due to a situation that arose within the commission, a number of members had attempted to have him removed from his post.

"I have learned in many different ways that it was, in fact, MDP behind the actions of these three members who tried to remove me from my position as EC President and discard me. This is a party that I considered as a part of me," Fuad said.

"When I am in an independent institution, I cannot be in any party. But, say, if you dug in my insides, I don't think you would find anything besides MDP," he said.

Fuad said that he had earlier believed MDP would be just, but had observed that in fact, it was no different to any other party. He said he had barely managed to remain in his post.

Fuad strongly asserted that regardless of whether it is an MDP or PPM led government, or whatever government, he would not bow down to intimidation or pressure from any government and had never done so, nor has he ever committed any actions against any law or regulation.

Fuad stated that his biggest concern is the lack of protection for independent institutions. Although his term is due to end in November this year, he appealed to the parliament to secure this protection for the sake of others in independent institutions.