Maldives electoral watchdog urged to force MDP leadership re-election

Elections Commission has been asked to force main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) to hold a re-election for its president and vice president.

Former vice president of the party Alhan Fahmy in a letter to the Elections Commission asked for the re-election citing that the term of the current president and vice president was up.

MDP had last elected the now jailed former president Mohamed Nasheed as its president while Mohamed Shifaz serves as the vice president.

However, after Nasheed was jailed on terrorism charges last year, the government controlled parliament had amended the political party Act to deny convicts from serving in party leaderships.

MDP had rejected the politically motivated amendment insisting that Nasheed was still its leader--even after the elections commission deemed opposition party leader's post vacant following the amendment.

Elections commission member Ahmed Akram confirmed Alhan's letter but said a decision over the request is yet to be made.

Alhan has teamed up with former MDP chairperson Moosa Manik to initiate a reform program accusing Nasheed of ‘hijacking’ the party.

Manik who serves as the deputy parliament speaker has teamed up with former top MDP officials to “bring the party back on track.”

Manik insisted that the reform program will pursue legal means pointing out that Nasheed has gotten rid off anyone who opposed him.

“I’m Nasheed’s fifth victim. Party is not functioning according to its charter. There is no legitimate leadership in the party at present. Party funds are also being misused,” Manik added.

According to Manik, he will first request MDP for fresh elections. If the party ignores the request, the Hulhu-Henveiru MP is willing to take the matter to the elections commission.

“If the elections commission fails to act, then I will even take it to court,” he said.

Manik was dismissed from the party for breaking a party whip line during a parliamentary vote. However, the elections commission had later reversed the decision.

He also took a jab at the recently formed opposition coalition led by Nasheed and MDP.

“MDP stands to suffer by joining MUO [Maldives United Opposition]. So we need to reform the party before the 2018 presidential elections,” he insisted.