Jabir says he will contest elections, defend Kaashidhoo seat

Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir, who the main opposition MDP expelled, days after he won the party’s ticket for the parliamentary elections, says he will contest the elections and defend the Kaashidhoo seat.

MDP’s disciplinary committee decided on Monday to deny Jabir the chance to contest the elections on behalf of the MDP and to expel him from the party – effective immediately, following a complaint over disciplinary issues.

Jabir told Sun on Tuesday that he plans on appealing the decision with the MDP’s appeals committee, and suing the party.

He expressed concern over the decision, which he said infringes on his constitutional rights.

Jabir said he will continue to try to contest for the elections on behalf of MDP.

“I will contest. And I will win the seat,” he said.

Jabir won the MDP primary on Saturday with 252 votes. His rival, Abdulla Riffath, trailed behind with 150 votes.

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

While Jabir has now lost the MDP ticket, his son Ahmed Muaz Abdulla Jabir successfully ran in the recent MDP primary, winning the party’s ticket for the Mahibadhoo seat.

MDP’s disciplinary committee also decided that Jabir would require approval from MDP’s national council, if he wishes to rejoin the party.

He will also 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.

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 ejected from the Parliament’s chambers over such incidents.