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MTD officially registered, Adeeb appointed as party leader

Fathmath Shaahunaz
28 December 2018, MVT 19:09
Maldives Third way Democrats (MTD) members take a vote during their formative session at Dharubaaruge. PHOTO: AHMED NISHAATH/MIHAARU
Fathmath Shaahunaz
28 December 2018, MVT 19:09

Elections Commission (EC) on Thursday officially registered the newly formed political party, Maldivian Third-way Democrats (MTD), after which the party appointed jailed former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb as its leader.

Adeeb's appointment was passed unanimously by the eight members of MTD who participated in the party's first council meeting.

The former vice president had been the first to sign on to MTD after the electoral watchdog issued permission to form the new party.

However, in the wake of this development, EC declared on Thursday night that Adeeb was not eligible to assume the post of MTD's president. EC member Ahmed Akram stated that while MTD is yet to officially inform the commission of its decision, Adeeb's ongoing conviction rendered him ineligible to serve any posts of political parties except membership, as per the amendment made to the Prisons and Parole Act in 2015.

Adeeb is serving a 33-year jail sentence over orchestrating an assassination attempt on former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and for his involvement in major corruption scandals during his tenure. He is currently under house arrest due to poor health following a surgery.

MTD is the seventh political party to be registered in Maldives. The meeting for the formation of MTD was held last Monday.

While Adeeb has been appointed as party president, MTD also appointed the Vice President of Maldives National Chamber of Commerce, Ismail Asif, as the chief deputy leader and Velidhooo MP Yameen Rasheed as deputy leader.

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