Case filed to challenge MDP chairperson election timeline
The case was submitted by legal counsel Abdulla Shairu, who argues that the timeline was issued in breach of the party’s charter.
A case has been filed at the Civil Court of Maldives seeking to invalidate the election timeline issued by the Maldivian Democratic Party for its chairperson poll.
The case was submitted by legal counsel Abdulla Shairu, who argues that the timeline was issued in breach of the party’s charter.
In a statement following the filing, Shairu said the decision contravenes Article 46 of the MDP Charter and restricts the campaign activities of former President Mohamed Nasheed, who is contesting the election.
He also stated that the timeline infringes on the right to campaign.
Article 46 of the Charter states that the administration of chairperson election affairs falls under the President of the Appeals Judicial Council.
Ahmed Abdulla Afeef, who holds that position, has said the election announcement was made without his knowledge and against legal advice he had provided.
Afeef had earlier written to the party stating that the announcement was not in line with party regulations and called for it to be withdrawn.
Shairu said he had submitted a complaint to the party’s election committee on 23 April but had not received a response.
He noted that party regulations require a response within 48 hours.
“The lack of response led to the decision to proceed with legal action,” Shairu said.
In his submission, Shairu argued that the decision of the election committee is inconsistent with party regulations, the Constitution, and principles of justice.
He also said that in previous chairperson elections in 2017 and 2021, oversight was carried out by the President of the Appeals Judicial Council.
The case requests the court to declare that the authority to organise and conduct the election lies with the Appeals Judicial Council, and to nullify the timeline issued on 22 April.
Under the timeline, eligibility to vote in the 12 June election is limited to members registered by 12:00pm on the day of the announcement.
This provision has drawn objections from Nasheed’s supporters.
Shairu said setting a deadline for voter eligibility in this manner restricts the rights of party members and exceeds the authority of the election committee.
