MDP cancels Jabir’s ticket, expels him from party

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has expelled Abdulla Jabir, the incumbent Kaashidhoo MP, from the party.

According to a statement issued by the MDP, the party’s disciplinary committee made the decision on Monday, following an investigation into a complaint submitted to the committee.

The decision comes after Jabir recently won the party’s primary for the upcoming parliamentary elections. He won Saturday’s primary for the Kaashidhoo seat with 252 votes. His rival, Abdulla Riffath, trailed behind with 150 votes.

According to the MDP, its disciplinary investigated a complaint that accused Jabir of repeatedly using foul language and flouting societal norms when communicating with members of the general public, which the complainant said infringed on the interests of the party’s general members.

Following its investigation, the disciplinary committee decided to deny Jabir the chance to contest the elections on behalf of the MDP and to expel him from the party – effective immediately, reads the party’s statement.

The committee also decided that the outspoken politician would require approval from MDP’s national council if he wishes to rejoin the party.

And he will be banned from contesting for any position within the party or any primary for five years, even if he receives the chance to rejoin the party, reads the statement.

Jabir has been repeatedly caught on video, both in and out of Parliament, while speaking foul language and making obscene gestures. He has also been repeatedly named and ejected from the Parliament’s chambers for disruptive behavior.

Last week, Jabir was caught on video speaking foul language and making obscene gestures at members of the general public, sparking widespread condemnation.

Jabir won the 2019 parliamentary elections as an independent candidate, after he left the MDP upon losing in the party’s primary.

Jabir previously served as the leader of Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), but rejoined MDP in June 2023 after the party was dissolved for failure to meet the minimum membership requirement.

In addition to Jabir, his son Ahmed Muaz Abdulla Jabir also successfully ran in the recent MDP primary, winning the party’s ticket for the Mahibadhoo seat.