Politics


Police seek to charge Nasheed for Yameen’s 2010 arrest
A spokesman said the police have sent files on the investigation to the prosecutor general’s office, but declined to comment on the charges against the opposition leader.
10 Jan 2017, 09:00


Adhaalath to boycott local council elections
Participating in the vote would legitimise an election that has been “unlawfully stolen” from the people, the religious conservative party said.
10 Jan 2017, 09:00


Local council elections date set for April 8
Local council elections will be held on April 8, the elections commission has announced. It also set a new deadline for candidacy papers allowing President Abdulla Yameen’s party to field candidates.
09 Jan 2017, 09:00


Dunya rejoins Yameen’s government
Gayoom has denounced his daughter’s shock return, saying he does not support her decision
05 Jan 2017, 09:00


Local council elections rescheduled for April
The elections commission has assured political parties that the postponed local council elections will be rescheduled for early April with a new date to be announced next week.
04 Jan 2017, 09:00


Audit uncovers illegal expenses by housing ministry in 2014
A compliance audit for 2014 found that the ministry made an illegal advance payment of MVR120 million (US$7.8 million) to the state-owned Maldives Roads Development Corporation for a project to build roads in seven islands.
03 Jan 2017, 09:00


Minister blames MDP government for housing project controversy
With a majority of flat winners struggling to raise an MVR400,000 down payment to secure a home loan, the housing ministry has threatened to take legal action against those who fail to hand over their plots of land in Malé within three months.
02 Jan 2017, 09:00


Elections commission withdraws appeal against poll delay
The elections commission has withdrawn its appeal of a civil court judgment that postponed next year’s local council elections by two months, drawing fierce criticism from political parties over the independence of the electoral body.
24 Dec 2016, 09:00


Media council elects new leadership amid press freedom concerns
Concerns have been raised about the independence and the lack of professional experience of the new members elected to the print and online media regulator at a time when press freedom is under threat.
20 Dec 2016, 09:00


Sentencing postponed for convicted Raajje TV journalists
The criminal court found two journalists from the opposition-aligned Raajje TV guilty today on controversial charges of obstructing police duty. However, in an unusual move, the sentencing has been postponed to January 24.
19 Dec 2016, 09:00


MDP accuses electoral body of ‘curtailing election observation’
The commission gave three working days to register representatives for nearly 500 candidates and refused to accredit several observers, the MDP said.
18 Dec 2016, 09:00


Radical cleric appointed to top Islamic council
Shameem is known for preaching against multi-party democracy, liberalism and for being a jihadist-sympathizer in the on going Syrian conflict.
14 Dec 2016, 09:00


Anti-graft watchdog prompts criticism for ruling out corruption in biggest ever property deal
The anti-graft watchdog has come under fire for declaring legal the government’s choice of a contractor to build a new wing for Malé’s public hospital, a project worth MVR2.1billion (US$140million)
13 Dec 2016, 09:00


Uproar after watchdog head ‘lauds’ Maldives human rights situation
Media reports that the president of the human rights watchdog dismissed concerns over abuses in the Maldives have provoked widespread condemnation on Twitter.
12 Dec 2016, 09:00


Media regulator throws out libel complaint against state TV
MBC said it would not investigate TVM for defaming Nasheed and Gayoom in a decision that stands in start contrast to action it has previously taken against opposition aligned station, Raajje TV.
10 Dec 2016, 09:00


PPM slams elections commission for closing nominations for council polls
The PPM did not make any nominations when the extended deadline expired on December 1.
08 Dec 2016, 09:00


Yet another policy reversal puts affordable housing out of reach for Malé residents
When Malé’s landless families drew lots to choose flats in the newly built Tata blocks in October, the keys to their new homes seemed all but assured. But yet another policy reversal appears to have put the flats out of reach.
07 Dec 2016, 09:00


Jailed lawmaker granted medical leave
MP Ahmed Mahloof, jailed on controversial charges, was granted ten days leave to travel to India to seek treatment and conduct medical tests not available in the Maldives.
04 Dec 2016, 09:00


Ban Ki-moon renews calls for dialogue in the Maldives
UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon has renewed calls for dialogue between the Maldivian government and political parties, urging the government and the opposition to prioritise national interest and democracy
04 Dec 2016, 09:00


Court delays local council elections
The civil court ordered the elections commission to postpone January’s local council elections, citing the ruling party’s inability to prepare for polls in the wake of a bitter leadership dispute.
02 Dec 2016, 09:00

