Electoral watchdog reinstates key lawmakers in parties

Elections Commission of Maldives on Monday reinstated three key lawmakers back in their respective political parties after their removal last week.

The three parliamentarians, Hinnavaru MP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Galolhu North MP Eva Abdulla of main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), and Kaashidhoo MP Faisal Naseem of Jumhooree Party, were removed from the updated registers of their parties as they had not submitted their fingerprints for party registration within the one month period granted by the commission.

However, EC’s member Ahmed Akram confirmed on Monday that the three lawmakers completed their required information for party membership and have thus been reinstated with the parliament informed of the development.

While the EC had removed and then reinstated the three lawmakers over the fingerprint issue, MDP had not submitted the form of its member and Hulhuhenveiru MP Reeko Moosa Manik to the EC. However, EC has not removed Manik from MDP’s register, sparking criticism from political parties accusing the EC of lacking objectiveness.

The EC had provided a deadline until October 12 for members of political parties, who had registered before the Political Parties Act came into effect, to submit their fingerprints. The Political Parties Act first came into effect in 2013, though it did not stipulate then for members, who had registered prior to the Act, to submit their fingerprints for registration. The Elections Commissions had made the amendment to the Act last year, stating that members without fingerprint registration will be removed from the parties.