Six candidates not disqualified, opportunity open to switch parties: Habeeb

Former Vice President of the Elections Commission (EC) Ismail Habeeb has stated that candidates who left the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) to contest independently in the parliamentary election cannot be disqualified for rejoining the party as they have not violated the constitution and the Anti-defection Act.

The Anti-defection Act passed by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s majority in parliament allows for MP-elects to change parties without violating the Act as long as they do so within the time between becoming elected and swearing in as members of a new parliament.