The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has decided to take legal action against the Local Government Authority’s (LGA) decision to remove Shujau Ali from his position as President of the Vaavu Thinadhoo Council.
The LGA ruled that Shujau had vacated his seat after defecting from The Democrats to join the MDP. The decision to challenge this in court was announced by MDP Chairperson and former President Mohamed Nasheed.
"We will be filing the case regarding the removal of the Thinadhoo Councilor in court this week. Our party’s legal team is currently working on the matter," Nasheed said during a press conference held today.
Shujau signed with the MDP after being informed that The Democrats was being dissolved. However, the official dissolution of the party occurred after Shujau had already joined the MDP.
In a statement regarding the matter, the LGA noted that the Elections Commission (EC) had informed them that Shujau was registered to a party other than the one he was elected under on May 19, following this year’s local council elections. During a board meeting held on June 30, the LGA decided to notify the EC that Shujau’s seat had become vacant.
Shujau had contested the local council elections on a ticket from The Democrats. However, the EC had issued a notice on April 11, stating that The Democrats would be dissolved due to its failure to maintain the legally required number of members.
Speaking previously to Adhadhu on the issue, Shujau maintained that he joined the MDP only after being notified of the dissolution of The Democrats.
"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.
