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Electoral watchdog requests police to take action against MDP

Shaina Abdulla
04 June 2018, MVT 13:12
POLICE RAID /MDP PRIMARY 2018
Shaina Abdulla
04 June 2018, MVT 13:12

The Elections Commission (EC) has revealed that the commission will be requesting the police to take action against the members of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) who led an "illegal" primary election.

EC member Ahmed Akram stated that the electoral watchdog’s decision came under Article 7 Sub-article B of the Political Parties Act.

The Sub-article B states that a person who is a candidate, who competes in, and/or who wins any elections held in the Maldives, must be in accordance with Article 7 Sub-article A; which lists bans for all political parties.

Akram further revealed that action will also be taken against MDP over their primary elections after a commission meeting on the decision. According to EC, action will be taken against MDP under Article 31 and 43 of the Political Parties Act.

Article 31 of the Political Parties Act states the conditions under which a party can be dissolved. Article 43 , under conditions, declares the right of imposing fines on political parties to the Elections Commission.

The Civil Court, late May, had ordered Police and other relevant authorities to stop MDP's primary. Despite several disruptions by the authorities, including confiscation of the ballot boxes, MDP had continued voting until midnight.

EC had previously issued a warning to MDP, stating the the party could be dissolved if they allowed Nasheed to run, as the former president is convicted on terrorism charges to 13-years, which renders him ineligible to contest for president according to the Constitution.

Former President Mohamed Nasheed, the sole candidate in MDP's primary, won with 43,922 votes in favour, despite court orders to cease the voting.

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