The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) President Abdulla Shahid has called on the Local Government Authority (LGA) to retract its decision to remove Shujau Ali from his position as President of the Vaavu Thinadhoo Island Council.
In a post on X last night, Shahid said that legal procedures must be followed to determine whether an elected official has lost their seat. He argued that these mandatory processes were bypassed in Shujau’s case.
Shahid asserted that it is unacceptable to disregard legal due process and undermine the public's decision by taking politically motivated action against Shujau simply because of his affiliation with the MDP.
"The Local Government Authority must withdraw its notice. The government must learn to uphold the rule of law," Shahid said.
Shahid’s remarks follow the LGA’s official declaration that Shujau had lost his seat for switching parties during the current council term.
In a press release, the LGA stated that the Elections Commission (EC) had informed them that Shujau registered with a party other than the one he was elected under on May 19. During a board meeting on June 30, the LGA decided to notify the EC that Shujau’s seat had been vacated.
Shujau contested the local council elections on a ticket from The Democrats. However, the EC announced the dissolution of The Democrats on April 11, 2026, after the party failed to maintain the legally required number of members.
Speaking previously to Adhadhu regarding the matter, Shujau explained that he joined the MDP only after being informed that The Democrats had been dissolved.
"I do not believe that joining another party following the dissolution of one's original party is grounds for losing a council seat," said Shujau, who has also previously served as the President of the Vaavu Atoll Council.
