MDP lifts bans on members penalised for charter violations
The decision was made during the National Assembly meeting held at the party office on Wednesday night.
Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has decided to cancel or pardon punishments imposed on individuals for violating the party's governing charter.
The decision was made during the National Assembly meeting held at the party office on Wednesday night. While the MDP has not officially announced the decision, three members of the National Assembly confirmed it to Atoll Times.
The motion to cancel the penalties was introduced by Naifaru Constituency President Abdulla Rasheed Hassan. The justification for the proposal was that the MDP, currently in opposition, needs to collaborate with as many people as possible. The motion was supported by Henveiru North Constituency President and former Member of Parliament Ibrahim Muizzu.
The proposal was approved with 57 votes in favour out of 64 members present at the meeting.
Previously, the MDP had implemented a rule that barred individuals expelled from the party for violating its charter from contesting for any position within the party for five years, even if they rejoined. This rule had been applied to members such as Moosa Manik, who was removed in 2014 for disciplinary violations, and Ali Azim, a former parliamentary group leader, who was expelled in 2023 for similar reasons.
Both Moosa Manik, who rejoined the party during the last presidential election campaign, and Ali Azim, who returned to the party on Friday, were previously prohibited from contesting internal elections for five years from the date of their rejoining.
Following the decision of the National Assembly on Wednesday, this restriction has been lifted, enabling both individuals and others in similar situations to participate in MDP internal elections.
