MRM to be dissolved after party membership falls short

The Elections Commission (EC) has announced the dissolution of the Maldives Reform Movement (MRM), led by former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. The decision was made after the party failed to meet the requirement of 3,000 party members, despite receiving a second notice from the EC.

The second notice, issued in February, expired on last Wednesday.

MRM, along with other parties that did not meet the membership requirement received the first notice in 2022. The notice stipulated a three-month period to fulfill the mandated membership criteria. As a result, the fear of party dissolution subsided for MRM, as they were granted additional time to meet the necessary membership threshold.

EC sent the second notice to the MRM earlier in February informing them that if the required number of members is not met within the specified deadline, the party will be dissolved.

If the required number of members, is not reached, EC will hold a meeting and proceed with the dissolution of the party.

According to the Election Commission website, the number of members registered with MRM as of February was 2,981.

MRM has previously claimed that there have been cases of fraudulent activities in relation to the party's membership. They alleged that some members were transferred to other parties without notification, including members holding various positions within MRM.

MRM is the third political party founded by Maumoon. Prior to MRM, he formed the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) in 2005, following the introduction of a law allowing the formation of political parties in the Maldives. The Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) was formed after disagreements with the then DRP leader, Ahmed Thasmeen Ali.

Maumoom left PPM following a dispute with his brother, former President Abdulla Yameen.

Maumoon initiated the Maldives Reform Movement during the PPM administration. He was dismissed during a PPM council meeting after he opposed the party and pledged allegiance to the then opposition, which is now the ruling coalition.

Maumoon began expressing dissatisfaction with the former President Abdulla Yameen's administration during his tenure as the President of PPM. He said that the administration's actions were detrimental to the well-being of the people and the nation.

Maumoon left PPM and formed a new party after losing confidence that the outcome of the legal cases faced by PPM would be resolved in his favor.