Court quashes Gayoom party's dissolution
The commission was given three days to pay the money to MRM.
By
Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim
The Election Commission (EC)’s decision to dissolve the Maldives Reform Movement (MRM) led by former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was quashed on Monday, and EC was ordered to pay the party MVR 50,000 for legal fees.
The Election Commission decided to dissolve the party in May last year for not having the 3,000 members required by law. Thus:
-
The commission ordered the party not to conduct any political activities
-
The party did not accept the decision. MRM accused the EC decision of being influenced by some people
-
In July last year, the MRM filed the case in the Civil Court
Nearly six months later, the court on Monday ruled that the EC's decision to dissolve the MRM was illegal.
Judge Mohammed Easa Fulhu ruled that the EC's decision was contrary to Article 43(a) and (b) of the Constitution. The judgement also ruled that the move was "unconstitutional."
The judgement stated:
-
When the commission issued a notice in February for not meeting the 3,000 member requirement, there were unprocessed applications; the documents submitted to the court show that there was a reasonable delay in processing the forms
-
No instructions for the notice period
-
Therefore, it was a notice given in the absence of any circumstances relating to the dissolution of the party mentioned in Article 30 of the Political Parties Act. The decision to dissolve the MRM based on the notice is illegal
Therefore, the case was decided against the commission and the judge ordered the EC to pay MVR 50,000 to MRM. The commission was given three days to pay the money.
With the verdict, MRM chief Maumoon said in an X post on Monday, "Praise be to Allah and I congratulate the dear members of the MRM sincerely”.
The MRM had 2,981 members when the Election Commission decided to dissolve it. Therefore, only 21 members were required to meet the mandated number.
