The newly formed Election Commission (EC) is capable and competent to hold open, free and fair multiparty elections, according to MDP.
At a news conference held at MDP Haruge, the party’s parliamentary group member, MP for Lhaviani atoll Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said the primary objective in forming the Inthigaali Election Commission is to form an independent Election Commission, free from political bias and influences. He said the need for an independent commission became apparent due to incapability of the former Commissioner to hold such free and fair elections.
Chairperson Maria speaking at the news conference said it is the responsibility of the people to bring an end to KD Ahmed Manik’s role as the Commissioner. Maria said the members of Inthigali Election Commission were elected with the support of the MDP and is more to the liking of MDP than DRP. She also said the matter was discussed with other parties including DRP, People’s Alliance, and Jumhoory Party.
Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, MP for Lhaviani atoll further said when the matter of the Election Commission was raised to JP, the party had said they had proposed a nomination directly and did not offer much support.
Speaking at the news conference leader of MDP Parliamentary Group MP for Thaa atoll Hassan Afeef said that MDP parliamentary group had agreed that during the vote on the Commission members, members of the MDP Parliamentary Group agreed that instead of considering the parties to give consideration to the names proposed. However at the last minute parliamentary group member Reeko Moosa Manik , MP for Laamu atoll refused to vote as agreed. MP Hassan Afeef said Moosa’s action violates the democratic principles and beliefs.
MDP Parliamentary Whip Reeko Moosa said sometimes things happen differently and not everything goes according to plan. He said the matter was agreed with discussions with all parties but on that day he felt things were being more favorable to one party. He said that he raised the matter with the leader of Parliamentary group Afeef. MP Moosa further said as the party’s Whip he has the authority to stop such matters. Moosa said in his capacity as the party’s whip the decision is not in the best interests of the party.
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