Politics

Independent councillor-elect joins MDP

The Vaadhoo councillor-elect is the first of 101 independent candidates who won seats in the Maldives’ third local council elections to join a political party.

Faris Maumoon barred from travelling overseas

Faris was stopped at the Velana International Airport’s immigration checkpoint Sunday morning after he checked in to fly to Bangalore, India to visit a sick relative.

Human rights commissioner resigns

Shifaq Mufeed ‘Histo,’ the vice president of the Human Rights Commission of Maldives, resigned from his post on Thursday.

Powerhouse manager transferred after election loss

The assistant manager of the state-owned powerhouse on the southern island of Thimafarushi in Thaa atoll has been transferred after refusing to resign in the wake of the ruling party’s loss in the local council elections.

JP headquarters closed after court’s ‘unconstitutional’ conditions

JP leader Gasim Ibrahim was released from police custody on the condition that he refrains from speaking in a manner that sows discord or incites unrest or allowing others to use his property to deliver such speeches.

Yameen’s family petitions UN for international investigation

The appeal for urgent action was submitted to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and four Special Rapporteurs on the family’s behalf by pro bono international counsel Jared Genser.

Gasim released with conditions

The conditions for his release include refraining from “holding meetings with people who sow discord and strife in society,” speaking in a manner that sows discord or incites unrest and allowing others to use his home or property to deliver such speeches.

UN rights experts call for public inquiry into Yameen’s murder

The three Special Rapporteurs observed that the unsolved murder was “the latest in a series of attacks against journalists and human rights defenders expressing liberal views,” which occurred “against a backdrop of rising religious intolerance in the Maldives”.

Elections Commission begins announcing results

With results from 98 percent of 422 ballot boxes collected, the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party is leading with 315 seats and the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives is trailing with 185 seats.

Lawyers spar over Gasim’s bribery charge

Gasim was charged for declaring that the allied opposition parties would grant tickets for the 2019 parliamentary elections to MPs who vote to impeach Speaker Maseeh and offering to help with their re-election campaigns.

Gayoom’s secretary-general pays MVR85k fine for contempt of court

Aleem was fined after a five-judge panel decided that he contravened a civil court ruling that stripped Gayoom of his powers as the elected leader of the Progressive Party of Maldives.

Government reinstates health insurance to private sector

The government has reversed an abrupt policy change implemented without notice on Saturday night to exclude private healthcare providers from the state’s free health insurance scheme.

Election ‘marred’ by arbitrary extension of voting hours

Administrative processes during Saturday’s local council election was “marred by the questionable decision by the Elections Commission to arbitrarily extend the voting time,” Transparency Maldives has said after observing the voting process.

Council elections outcome ‘satisfactory’ for ruling party

The ruling coalition has described the outcome of Saturday’s local council election as “a satisfactory victory” despite heavy losses in the capital and other populous islands.

Opposition declares landslide victory

Provisional results show that the MDP swept the Malé, Addu and Fuvahmulah city councils and secured majorities in other populous islands across the country.

Maldives votes in third local council election

After multiple delays and campaigning amidst a political crisis, voting is underway throughout the Maldives in the country’s third local council elections.

Vox pop: Voting day

As polls opened Saturday morning for the long-delayed local council elections, the Maldives Independent spoke to voters in the capital about their voting experience.

Raajje TV journalists denied monitor passes by elections commission

The elections commission rejected applications from 32 Raajje TV journalists to monitor Saturday’s local council elections and report from inside polling stations with accredited passes.

Raajje TV pays MVR1m defamation fine

Council election campaign concludes

The May 6 local council election is due to take place despite the refusal of opposition candidates to endorse the final voter list due to concerns over its accuracy.