Shujaau secures MDP ticket for V. Thinadhoo council by-election
LGA determined that Shujaau had lost his council seat under provisions of the Decentralisation Act governing changes in political party affiliation.
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Former V. Thinadhoo Council President Ali Shujaau has secured the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) ticket to contest the upcoming council by-election, following a decision by the Local Government Authority (LGA) that he had lost his seat after changing political parties.
Shujaau was the only candidate to apply for the MDP's internal primary to select its candidate for the Thinadhoo council presidency. As a result, he secured the party's nomination without a primary election.
The Elections Commission has scheduled the by-election for 28 November, with nominations remaining open until next Monday.
Shujaau, who previously served as President of the Vaavu Atoll Council, was elected President of Thinadhoo Council earlier this year on the ticket of The Democrats.
However, following the dissolution of The Democrats, he joined the MDP.
In July, the LGA determined that Shujaau had lost his council seat under provisions of the Decentralisation Act governing changes in political party affiliation during an elected term.
Under the law, a councillor elected on the ticket of a political party loses their seat if they subsequently register with another political party during the same term.
The LGA's decision resulted in the vacancy that will be filled through the November by-election.
Shujaau has since sought to return to the council presidency by contesting the election on the MDP ticket.
The Democrats was formed by former President Mohamed Nasheed and his supporters following internal disagreements within the MDP.
The party was subsequently dissolved after its membership fell below the minimum of 3,000 members required under the Political Parties Act.
The decline in membership followed the return of Nasheed and several of his supporters to the MDP.
Shujaau has previously said he joined the MDP following the dissolution of The Democrats.
With the MDP nomination secured, Shujaau will now contest the by-election scheduled for 28 November, subject to the Elections Commission's nomination requirements.
