MDP National Council meeting concluded following lack of consensus

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has concluded its National Council meeting after members failed to reach an agreement regarding the Supreme Court verdict against President of Elections Commission Fuad Thaufeeg.

Media was not allowed at MDP’s National Council meeting held at Dharubaaruge tonight.

Two options were presented at the meeting – the first one by former President Mohamed Nasheed to boycott the election, and a second one by a group of members to protest but still participate in the election. Votes were not asked for for either option.

Following the meeting, Chairperson of MDP Reeko Moosa Manik told Sun Online that the meeting was not concluded because members failed to reach an agreement.

He said that before deciding to boycott the Parliamentary Election, the party would like to discuss the matter with its 85 candidates contesting in the election.

Moosa Manik said that majority of members at tonight’s meeting were in favour of boycotting the election, however, no decision was finalised at the meeting.

Nasheed said earlier that a decision on whether to boycott the election would be made at tonight’s National Council meeting.

Yesterday, Supreme Court ruled in a contempt case against members of Elections Commission that Elections Commission President Fuad Thaufeeg and Vice President Ahmed Fayaz had been disqualified as members of the commission.

The court also sentenced Fuad Thaufeeg to six months in prison, but ordered to delay implementation of this sentence for three years.