EC approves registration of Nasheed's The Democrats party
Democrats filed a lawsuit at the Civil Court last week alleging that the EC was withholding permission to register the party.
Elections Commission (EC) on Wednesday approved the formation of The Democrats party led by former president and speaker of parliament Mohamed Nasheed.
On June 1, Democrats submitted 3,000 plus membership forms as required by law to form a political party. A month later, the Elections Commission decided to allow party registration.
EC Vice President and spokesman Ismail Habib said in a tweet on Sunday that the commission granted permission to Henveiru West MP Hassan Latheef, who had sought permission to form the party.
The commission initially announced its decision to allow the party registration last week.
However, Democrats filed a lawsuit at the Civil Court last week alleging that the EC was withholding permission to register the party despite fulfilling all requirements and submitting the required number of membership forms.
The commission had to delay the registration of the party as two members of the commission demanded further examination of the membership forms. However, both members later supported the formation of The Democrats.
When the permission is granted:
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The party's charter should be drafted and a rally should be held to approve it
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The rally to form a political party must have at least 300 members in attendance
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The commission must be notified in writing three days prior to the rally and the media must be invited to the rally
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The rally for the formation of a political party shall be attended by two representatives of the commission
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The political party will be officially registered only after the rally's quorum is confirmed and signed by a senior member of the commission
