Two members of the Elections Commission (EC) have denied allegations that they were attempting to delay the registration of The Democrats.
The commission’s president Fuwad Thowfeek said on Sunday night that two members want to delay the registration and make use of the three month period granted by rules.
Fuwad also said they accused him of being biased.
EC president Fuwad Thowfeek. -- Photo: Mohamed Shabin/ Adhadhu
But EC member Ali Nashaath denied the allegations and claimed they proposed to recheck the membership forms because they have “lost confidence in the process.”
“We wanted to recheck [the forms] since we have lost confidence in the process due to the president’s actions,” Nashaath told Adhadhu.
He said a proposal was put forward during the commission’s meeting on Sunday night to recheck the membership forms through a five member committee.
But instead of calling for a vote on the proposal, Fuwad proposed to announce that 3000 forms have been verified and to issue the permit to The Democrats, he added.
“Forms are being checked by the employees hired for the presidential election. He [Fuwad] influences that process. He even entertains them [The Democrats] whenever they come here. Even today, they hijacked the commission’s office with the president’s permission,” Nashaath alleged.
The minimum number of members required by law to register a political party is 3000. The Democrats submitted over 3500 forms on June 1.
In the wake of political squabbles within the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), MPs and senior officials of former President Mohamed Nasheed's faction resigned from the party and announced plans to form The Democrats on May 17.
