Elections Commission dissolves Nasheed's Democrats party

The Elections Commission (EC) has officially dissolved The Democrats, the political party formed by former President Mohamed Nasheed ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the EC said the party was dissolved after failing to maintain the minimum membership requirement stipulated under the Political Parties Act.

The Democrats was established on 11 July 2023 after Nasheed and his supporters split from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) following his defeat in the party's presidential primary.

After its formation, the party contested the 2023 presidential election and later participated in parliamentary elections. However, it did not secure significant electoral success.

Nasheed rejoined the MDP in June last year, followed by many senior members and supporters of The Democrats.

According to the EC, political parties are required by law to maintain at least 3,000 registered members. The commission said The Democrats had been given the statutory period to increase its membership but failed to meet the requirement.

As a result, the party has been removed from the national registry of political parties.

Despite the departure of most of its founding members, The Democrats continued to operate and fielded candidates in a limited number of constituencies during the recent local council elections. The party won one council seat.

The dissolution brings an end to a party that emerged during a period of political division within the MDP and played a role in the political landscape leading up to the 2023 presidential election.