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EC warns MDP could be dissolved if Nasheed contests in primary

Farah Ahmed
22 May 2018, MVT 17:37
Former President Mohamed Nasheed: The EC warned MDP on May 22, 2018 that the party could face potential dissolution if Nasheed is allowed to contest in the party's primary for the presidential election slated for September--
Farah Ahmed
22 May 2018, MVT 17:37

If former President Mohamed Nasheed is allowed to contest in main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) presidential primary, the party may be dissolved, the Elections Commission warned Tuesday.

In a notice sent to MDP by the Elections Commissioner Ahmed Shareef, he reiterated that Nasheed has been convicted of a criminal offense, which disqualifies him from contesting in the upcoming presidential election slated for September, as per Maldives Constitution.

He noted that the commission has been receiving complaints, as MDP activists have been actively campaigning for the former president in Male and in the atolls.

The Elections Commission had declared that it would not accept a MDP primary which includes Nasheed.

Shareef stated that action would be taken against MDP under articles 31 and 49 of the Political Parties Act, if Nasheed competes in the party primary for the presidential bid.

Article 31 of the Political Parties Act stipulates the details of dissolving a political party via the High Court, while Article 49 details fines that can be levied on a political party.

Shareef’s letter also highlighted how that the Criminal Court’s decision to sentence the former president on terrorism charges for 13-years was upheld by the High Court, as well as the Supreme Court.

The commission, before concluding, maintained that Nasheed would not be allowed to compete in the presidential election since his criminal conviction disqualifies him from running for office.

The Elections Commission had earlier notified political parties to inform the the commission of their primaries, or decisions to grant their electoral tickets to candidates sans primaries, beforehand.

Parties are to notify the Elections Commission of the dates of their primary elections, and details of candidates between May 21 to July 1, as well as the results of the elections before July 8.

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