Government proposes mandatory re-registration of opposition party members
A ruling party MP has proposed changes to the Political Parties Act to make it compulsory for members of political parties to resubmit membership forms with fingerprints.
23 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
A ruling party MP has proposed changes to the Political Parties Act to make it compulsory for members of political parties to resubmit membership forms with fingerprints.
MP Ibrahim Didi submitted the government-sponsored legislation to the parliament on Tuesday amidst an ongoing court battle over the Elections Commission’s plans to de-register tens of thousands of members from opposition parties.
The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party had contested the EC’s declaration in June last year that that all political party membership forms without fingerprints were invalid. The MDP, the first and largest political party in the country, would have lost nearly half of its members if they failed to fill new forms by December 31.
But the High Court on February 1 issued a stay order halting the EC’s mass de-registration process, pending the outcome of a case lodged at the civil court by the MDP, the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party, and the religious conservative Adhaalath Party.
Become a member
Get full access to our archive and personalise your experience.
Already a member?
Discussion
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!
No comments yet. Be the first to join the conversation!
Join the Conversation
Sign in to share your thoughts under an alias and take part in the discussion. Independent journalism thrives on open, respectful debate — your voice matters.
