The Democrats, a political party founded by former President Mohamed Nasheed, was dissolved yesterday after failing to maintain the minimum membership required by law.
In a statement, the Elections Commission (EC) confirmed that the party was disbanded because its membership fell below the 3,000-member threshold. The Commission further stated that The Democrats has been officially removed from the registry of political parties effective.
In addition to The Democrats, the Maldives Labour and Social Democratic Party (MLSDP) was also dissolved for failing to meet the mandatory membership requirements.
While the MLSDP has been dissolved again, the Elections Commission had previously attempted to disband the party once before. However, that decision was overturned by the Civil Court in October 2025.
The Democrats was established following Nasheed’s defeat in the presidential primary of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). After initially operating as a separate faction within the MDP, the new party was officially formed under the name "The Democrats" in July 2023.
After spending two years away from the MDP, Nasheed officially rejoined his former party in June 2025.
