EC: Alhaan, Reeko Moosa removed from MDP

Elections Commission (EC) has announced former Deputy Leader of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Alhaan Fahmy and Deputy Speaker of People’s Majlis, Reeko Moosa Manik have been removed from party membership.

Member of EC, Mohamed Shakeel confirmed to “Sun” both Alhaan and Reeko Moosa were removed from MDP last Monday.

Shakeel said the two politicians were removed from MDP membership by EC after MDP presented all documents needed to finalize the formality.

MDP’s Disciplinary Committee voted to remove Reeko Moosa from the party after he violated a three-line whip issued by the party parliamentary group to vote against removing former Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz Hussain and Supreme Court Judge Ahmed Muthasim Adanan from their positions.

MDP made the decision to expel Alhaan from MDP after party members filed a petition with signature of 50 of its national congress members asking that he be expelled over violation of MDP’s Constitution and actions that could create divide within the party.

Issues noted by the committee includes; announcing he does not accept Maldives United Opposition – which MDP is officially a part of – and voicing out against Maldives United Opposition in social media and the press, holding press conferences in the name of MDP though he is “not a member of the party”, criticizing decisions made by MDP, and entering MDP headquarters and creating disturbance.

The committee also alleged that Alhaan had sided with the government, and was trying to deliberately create division within MDP. The committee said it was evident from the fact that Public Service Media (PSM) live-telecasted his press conference, given that PSM regularly live-telecasted ruling party – Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)’s - press conferences, events – but refused to telecast any of MDP’s events.

Alhaan has filed a lawsuit against MDP over the decision.

Meanwhile, Reeko Moosa said he did not wish to file a lawsuit over the decision.

“I don’t wish to file a case anywhere,” said Reeko Moosa.

He said he did not wish use force to remain in the party while the current MDP leadership did not want him.