Motion over political party membership and expulsion policy sent to committee

A motion submitted to the Parliament stating the current policy for membership to and expulsion from political parties was concerning to the people and parties has been sent to the Independent Institutions Committee for review.

The motion was sent to the committee with the unanimous vote of 58 parliamentarians on Wednesday afternoon.

Velidhoo MP Mohamed Abdulla Shafeeq, who submitted the motion, said membership to political parties, transfer from one party to the other, and expulsion was being carried out without any involvement of the people themselves.

“The right to engage in political activities granted under Article 30 of the Constitution is being misused by some parties,” he said.

Shafeeq said such actions was resulting in the loss of right and choice of people who support a specific political ideology.

He also said that the approach by Elections Commission in investigating such cases was creating more problems.

Shafeeq said it could plummet the people’s faith in the political party system.

Shafeeq said that his own parents had been made members of Adhaalath Party without their knowledge, and alleged that it was something AP did in collaboration with the Maldives Hajj Corporation.

The allegation was denied by AP.