MNP given approval to proceed with inaugural congress

Elections Commission (EC) has given approval for Maldives National Party (MNP) – the new political party spearheaded by the Former Defense Minister, Dhangethi MP Colonel (Retired) Mohamed Nazim – to hold its inaugural congress.

The approval for MNP to hold its inaugural congress comes after the party’s application for their registration with EC on September 15.

MNP submitted for their registration, after securing over 5,000 members for the party.

As per the Political Parties Act – a new political party must hold its inaugural congress within six months from the date they lodged the application with EC to register the party subsequent to securing the number of members needed to form the party. The inaugural congress must see the participation of at least 300 individuals who had signed for the party.

Important matters such as the party’s name, constitution, manifesto must be decided upon during the inaugural congress. Additionally, individuals must also be selected to represent the party – until a proper election can be held to elect members for important posts.

The decisions made during the inaugural congress must be informed to EC – after which they will decide to register the party or not following their review of the information presented.

As per information received to Sun, MNP has begun preparations to hold the inaugural congress.