EC: Any party congress with a fugitive will be rejected

The Elections Commission (EC) says it will not provide recognition to any political party primary or congress held with the involvement of anyone sentenced to prison.

Speaking at the press conference held by EC on Wednesday to provide the latest update on preparations for the upcoming Presidential Elections; President of EC, Ahmed Shareef said many of the conflicts between the commission and political parties stem from interpretation of the law.

Shareef said that when the commission ordered the disbandment of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s primary, which was contested by former President Mohamed Nasheed, MDP had claimed Nasheed had the right to participate in the Presidential Elections because the Supreme Court’s order on February 1 had ordered his release.

He noted that the order has since been overridden by the Supreme Court itself.

Shareef said that MDP has not officially informed the commission of plans to hold a congress, the commission has heard of it from unofficial channels. He said EC urges MDP to hold its congress after consulting with the commission.

He said the recent congress by Jumhoory Party (JP) has held after consultation with EC. And that any congress held in violation of instructions by the commission will not be recognized.