DRP contests party’s dissolution with High Court

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

The High Court has yet to make a decision on registering the case.

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

DRP had initially lodged the case with the Civil Court. However, according to the Political Parties Act, such cases fall within the purview of the High Court and not the Civil Court.

In the original 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, the second political party founded in Maldives, was registered on July 15, 2005. It had been the political party to win the highest number of seats in the 2009 parliamentary elections with 28 seats.

However, the party is currently represented by one member at the Parliament; DRP’s interim leader, Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir.

Jabir was not immediately available for comment regarding the court case.