Jabir files lawsuit over decision to dissolve DRP

Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) filed a lawsuit Sunday, asking the Civil Court to overturn the decision by Elections Commission (EC) to dissolve the political party.

EC made the decision to dissolve DRP citing failure to meet the 3,000-member requirement during the notice period.

In the lawsuit, DRP claimed that over 10,000 DRP members were removed from membership in violation of regulations. The party said EC’s decision violates the legal rights of DRP and its members.

The party asked the court to overturn EC’s decision, and reinstate over 10,000 members.

DRP’s interim leader, Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir told Sun that EC failed to follow proper procedure in dissolving the party.

“We will win the court case. And we will contest the [presidential] election and win in the first round,” he said.

Jabir said the decision to dissolve DRP, one of the oldest political parties in Maldives, showed the failure of the multi-party system in Maldives.

“The entire multi-party system has failed, has it not? Members were removed unlawfully and the party was dissolved,” he said.

DRP, the second political party founded in Maldives, was registered on July 15, 2005. The party was dissolved last year.