EC: No MP will be removed from PPM until civil lawsuit is settled

Elections Commission has made the decision not to remove any Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) lawmaker from the party until the civil lawsuit over PPM’s leadership is settled.

The civil lawsuit was filed by Former Maldivian President and former leader of PPM, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, requesting that the court determine he was removed from the leadership position unlawfully.

Speaking during a conference this Monday, President of EC, Ahmed Shareef said the commission has made the decision not to remove any lawmakers from the party until the lawsuit is settled.

“The commission has made the decision not to respond to any requests to remove lawmakers from PPM until the Civil Court makes a decision on PPM’s leadership. The commission’s decision is unanimous,” said Shareef.

Shareef said the commission has been informed of attempts by PPM to remove some of its lawmakers from the party to achieve a specific political objective.

The previous lawsuit filed over the leadership of PPM ended in favor of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. The court at the time ordered that Yameen be put in charge of PPM.

Maumoon was later removed from the PPM, effectively removing him from the leadership position.

The former President recently wrote a letter to EC in which he claimed his removal from PPM was irregular, and asked the commission to review his dismissal.

Shareef, during this Monday’s press conference said the commission has unanimously agreed to review Maumoon’s dismissal.