EC: Fittey won’t lose seat; switched back to MDP

Elections Commission (EC) has affirmed that main opposition MDP’s Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyadh (Fittey) who was fraudulently enrolled in ruling PNC will not lose his parliamentary seat of the case.

There have been mounting allegations against PNC for fraudulent enrollment in the party.

Speaking with Sun on Monday, Fittey records show he was enrolled in PNC on December 23^rd.

According to Fittey, he was enrolled in the ruling party without his knowledge and only became aware of the matter through another individual. He detailed that records also show many residents from Vaikaradhoo were also enrolled in PNC on that same date, with many of them being active members of MDP.

The incident comes after the current administration recently brought amendments to the constitution to include anti-defection provisions.

The amendment stipulates circumstances where parliamentarians will lose their seats. They are:

• If a parliamentarian resigns from or is dismissed or expelled from the party they were elected on behalf of
• If a parliamentarian switches parties or is dismissed or expelled from a party
• If an independent parliamentarian joins a party

Hence, the question arose whether Fittey would lose his parliamentary seat.

Speaking with Sun regarding the matter, EC member Hassan Zakariyya confirmed that Fittey’s party being switched has come to their attention. He further said the Commission has learned Fittey’s party was switched and he was listed on PNC’s register without his consent and knowledge.

Zakariyya emphasized that the Commission sees no reason warranting Fittey to lose his seat, and as such, would retain his seat as his party was not switched with his consent.

“There is no reason for Fittey to lose his seat. Fittey did not switch parties [on his own],” he said.

Zakariyya said EC held an emergency meeting after the issue was brought to their attention, during which it was decided that Fittey's name would be switched back to MDP's register. He added that this change has already been completed. 

Fittey, citing switch in political parties by individuals such as lawmakers is usually flagged by EC and investigated to ensure it is correct, had earlier stressed the switch in his party had however not come to the Commission's attention when it was done. 

Commenting on the matter, Zakariyya explained that the issue had not been noticed because the EC had removed lawmakers from the 19th parliamentary assembly from the blacklist after adding those from the 20th parliamentary assembly; a process during which he said names of lawmakers elected for a second term were erased.

Zakariyya said the switch is under further investigation.

MDP released a statement condemning the fraudulent enrollment of Fittey in PNC via a fake form. The main opposition party called upon relevant authorities to investigate the matter as a serious case.

Former Manadhoo MP Mohamed Thoriq (Manadhoo Thoriq) who has actively been on the frontlines of MDP since the party’s inception, also recently filed a police complaint over being fraudulently enrolled in PNC.

MDP has alleged many members of the party were being fraudulently enrolled in PNC – an allegation that has been denied by the ruling party.