EC greenlights the formation of Nasheed’s ‘The Democrats’

Elections Commission (EC) has greenlighted the formation of a new political party under the name ‘The Democrats’.

Approval to form ‘The Democrats’ was sought by supporters of Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed following their defection from ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) after major disagreements with pro-government members.

EC’s Vice President Ismail Habeeb, in a tweet on Sunday morning, the commission, today, have granted permit to the ‘The Democrats’ to hold their inaugural congress.

The Democrats had filed for registration with 3,650 membership forms on June 1.

The permit comes after criticism from the party’s officials after the EC failed to hold the vote to issue the permit. Three commissioners had boycotted the meeting during which the vote had been set to take place, citing lack of confidence in the commission’s chairman Fuad Thaufeeq. Officials of the party accused the three commissioners of deliberately stalling the formation of the party.

However, The Democrats were informed they will receive their permit today, the first working day after the Eid holidays; Habeeb told Sun before the Eid holidays which he noted was a decision reached after holding individual discussions with all commissioners.