Democrats accuse EC of deliberately hindering party’s registration

The founder of The Democrats, West Henveiru MP Hassan Latheef has accused Elections Commission (EC) of deliberately hindering the registration process to prevent the formation of the party.

Speaking to press after a meeting with commission officials on Sunday, Hassan Latheef said the party had been regularly checking for updates since the party filed for registration with 3,560 membership forms on June 1.

He said the commission’s chairman Fuad Thaufeeq has told the party that the commission had confirmed the validity of 3,000 forms – the minimum requirement to register political parties.

Hassan Latheef said the commission should have expedited the issuance of permit for the party’s inaugural gathering following confirmation of the validity of the forms.

“He is certain beyond a shred of doubt that there are 3,000 valid forms. Its standard practice to issue permit for the party’s inaugural gathering upon confirmation of 3,000 valid forms. That’s what should be practiced,” he said.

Hassan Latheef said that though Fuad confirmed the validity of 3,000 forms, other commissioners were inventing new methods to verify the authenticity of the forms.

He said that was the reason for the delay in the registration of the party.

Hassan Latheef said the commission had said it would issue permission to hold the inaugural gathering last Thursday.

“Many unusual things happened when we submitted forms to register our party. The day we submitted the 3,560 forms, we saw the information on the forms leaked throughout Maldives and in the hands of everyone,” he said.

He described the sudden changes in the commission’s regulations and other delays as a deliberate move to block the registration of the party.

Hassan Latheef said he did not receive a sufficient response from the commission, despite detailed explanations of the difficulties resulting from the delay in issuance of the permit.

“We have explained to the commission in detail the dates on the calendar and the deadlines, and that we are trying to have a candidate in the presidential race. God willing, we will have a candidate in the race,” he said.

Hassan Latheef called on the commission to expedite the registration process.