Thinadhoo council president suspended over defection to MDP
The LGA stated that Shujau had registered as a member of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on 19 May after being elected on the ticket of The Democrats.
Shujau Ali, who was elected President of V. Thinadhoo Council on the ticket of The Democrats, has been suspended from his council duties pending a review by the Local Government Authority (LGA).
The suspension was communicated in a letter sent by the LGA on Thursday to the council's Vice President, Samir Ahmed.
According to the letter, Shujau is prohibited from carrying out the responsibilities of Council President and from entering the council secretariat until the LGA board reaches a decision on the matter.
The authority also instructed Samir to assume the responsibilities of Council President on an interim basis.
The LGA stated that Shujau had registered as a member of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on 19 May after being elected on the ticket of The Democrats and after the commencement of the current council term.
According to the authority, the information was provided by the Elections Commission.
Under amendments to the Decentralisation Act, councillors elected under the banner of a political party may lose their seat if they register with another political party during their term.
The LGA is reviewing whether Shujau's registration change falls within the scope of those provisions.
Shujau, a former President of the Vaavu Atoll Council, contested the local council election on the ticket of The Democrats.
The party, formed by former President Mohamed Nasheed and his allies following their departure from the MDP, was dissolved last week after its membership fell below the minimum requirement stipulated under the Political Parties Act.
Although many senior figures of The Democrats had already returned to the MDP before the local council elections, the party fielded candidates in a limited number of contests. Shujau was the only candidate elected under its banner.
The suspension comes amid debate over the implementation of the anti-defection provisions.
Following the recent local council elections, several councillors elected on the ticket of the MDP reportedly joined the ruling People's National Congress (PNC).
No action has been publicly announced against those councillors so far.
The LGA has not indicated when it expects to reach a final decision on Shujau's case.
