MDP appeals committee orders cancellation of chair election notice
The Appeals Committee of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has ordered the annulment of the party’s announcement regarding its Chairperson election, stating that the process did not comply with the party’s Constitution.
The party had on Wednesday opened applications for the Chairperson position and scheduled the election for June 12, releasing a timeline for the process.
In a letter sent on Thursday to Interim Chairperson Abdul Ghafoor Moosa, the Appeals Committee requested that the announcement be withdrawn.
The letter, signed by Committee President Ahmed Abdulla Afeef, stated that under Article 46 of the party’s Constitution, authority to organise and oversee the Chairperson election rests with the President of the Appeals Committee.
Afeef stated that the timeline issued by the party was not in line with directions previously communicated by him.
“Any decision made by any organ of the party regarding the Chairperson’s election without prior notification shall be deemed a violation of the party’s Constitution,” the letter stated.
He noted that while he attended a meeting of the election committee, the timeline discussed at that meeting was not final and required further consultation with party leadership.
Afeef also raised concerns regarding the timing of the election, stating that decisions taken during a period of internal disagreement could affect party operations.
The letter further referred to reports that some party members had been registered with the People’s National Congress (PNC) without their consent, stating that conducting the election under current conditions could affect voting rights.
“Therefore, as the announcement for the Chairperson’s election and its accompanying timeline are decisions made in contravention of the party’s Constitution, I request that these decisions be declared null and void,” the letter stated.
The timeline issued by the party specified that only members registered by the stated deadline would be eligible to vote.
The membership cut-off has drawn responses from within the party, including from candidates. Party figures also reported an increase in membership registrations ahead of the deadline, with about 5,000 individuals joining in one day. Total membership has exceeded 50,000, according to party figures.
