Politics

Gayoom withdraws support for Yameen

“I have decided to withdraw my support for this government from this moment on, and I will not support this government in the future,” Gayoom said.

Elections commission scraps plan to introduce e-voting

Gayoom’s lawyer summoned for criticising the high court

Husnu Suood described his summons to the high court over his criticism of proceedings in the legal battle for the control of the ruling party an “act of intimidation.”

Nearly half of MDP’s members removed from its registry

The elections commission has struck off nearly half of the MDP’s members from its registry after the parliament approved a law requiring all political party members to submit their fingerprint records

High court rules in favour of Yameen in ruling party leadership row

The civil court was right to seize control from Gayoom due to “extraordinary circumstances” arising from the 78-year-old’s refusal to convene the party’s governing council and sacking of his deputy, the appellate court found.

Gayoom loyalists air grievances against Yameen on Raajje TV

Gayoom’s deputies accused Yameen of authoritarianism and hypocrisy in an unprecedented appearance on Raajje TV, and took a swipe at what they described as his unwillingness to contest presidential primaries for the 2018 polls.

“The JP supports the JP”: Jumhooree Party opts to play it safe

Hussein Rasheed Hassan says the bitter experiences the Jumhooree Party has had in the past prevent them from taking sides in the ongoing PPM dispute or align itself with the opposition.

“It is very easy to come and talk to me”: President Yameen on PPM split

Read on for excerpts from President Abdulla Yameen’s October 20 speech on the civil war within the ruling party

Council posts down to 653

The number of city, atoll, and island councillors to be elected in the upcoming local council elections is 653, the elections commission announced Saturday, significantly fewer than the present count of 1,095 councillors.

Gayoom appeals for fair ruling from high court

After concluding hearings today, the high court is due to decide whether the civil court was right to hand over control of the ruling party from Gayoom, the PPM’s elected leader, to his half-brother, President Abdulla Yameen.

Courts begins hearing appeal into PPM leadership row

The high court has begun hearing a case that will decide whether the civil court was right to hand over control of the ruling party to President Abdulla Yameen

Opposition appeals to Gayoom to join alliance against Yameen

The Maldives United Opposition has invited former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom to join it after he sought meetings with leaders of the Maldives’ minor parties amid a bitter row within the ruling party.

High court to hear appeal over PPM leadership dispute

A civil court ruling that stripped former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom of his powers as the elected leader of the Progressive Party of Maldives has been appealed by a loyalist of President Abdulla Yameen

After forced shutdown, CNM team returns with new site

Four months after Channel News Maldives shut down citing pressure from the government, the hard-hitting team of journalists behind the popular online paper have made a comeback as the Voice of Free Press.

Elections commission recognises Yameen faction as legitimate PPM

The elections commission has decided to recognise a faction led by President Abdulla Yameen as the legitimate Progressive Party of Maldives over a rival faction led by the ruling party’s elected president.

Maldives parliament endorses decision to quit Commonwealth

The People’s Majlis endorsed today President Abdulla Yameen’s decision for the Maldives to quit the Commonwealth over alleged unfair treatment, interference in domestic affairs, and threats to sovereignty and independence.

Opposition cleric’s licence to preach revoked

Sheikh Ilyas Hussain had his license to preach revoked after he blamed a hike in food prices on government corruption during a sermon on Friday

Financial perks for former presidents scaled back

The regulation, which came into effect on Sunday, sets new limits on public funding for housing, health insurance and expenses on the former presidents’ secretariats

MDP chairperson charged with terrorism

A first hearing of the trial scheduled for 10:30am this morning was cancelled after the criminal court failed to deliver a summons chit to Ali Waheed. The former lawmaker has been living in exile in the UK since June last year.

Gayoom speaks out on feud with Yameen: “Why did he let things go this far?”

Excerpts of Gayoom’s press conference, in which he defied a civil court order that stripped him of control of the ruling party and ruled out reconciliation with Yameen, his half-brother and incumbent president