Decision on whether to participate in election will be made by National Council: MDP Chairperson

Chairperson of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Reeko Moosa Manik has said that the decision on whether to participate in the Parliamentary Election on 22 March would be made after discussion by its National Council.

Earlier today, Supreme Court declared President and Vice President of Elections Commission disqualified as members of Elections Commission, and sentenced all four members of Elections Commission to six months in prison.

When asked by Sun Online how MDP plans to proceed following this Supreme Court verdict, Moosa Manik said that the Supreme Court verdict was “unclear”.

“The constitution states that appointment and dismissal of members to Elections Commission should be carried out by the parliament,” he said.

While speaking at a campaign event for the Parliamentary Election, President of MDP Mohamed Nasheed has warned that MDP would boycott the election if it was interfered in by Supreme Court in any way.

Moosa Manik said that the party’s National Council will hold a meeting very soon to make a decision on MDP’s participation in the election.

Following the Supreme Court order the President’s Office has said that all arrangements required by the government to ensure that the election is held on 22 March, will be made expeditiously.