Can

Civil Court has decided that Dr Ibrahim Didi having signed, in his capacity as the President of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the case submitted to court regarding the takeover of MDP camp at Lonuziyaaraiy kolhu, is not an obstruction to proceeding with the case.

This decision by Civil Court comes following the procedural issue raised by the Attorney General’s Office that Didi was appointed MDP President against the party’s basic regulations registered with Elections Commission (EC).

The state lawyer said during Sunday’s hearing of the case filed by MDP against Police and Armed Forces, that Didi was appointed as MDP President after the party’s basic regulations were changed, and the fact that the new regulations were not registered with EC means that Didi’s capacity as MDP President is questionable.

He also said that the changes made to MDP basic regulations can only be legally acceptable after they are registered with EC.

However the Judge presiding over this case Hathif Hilmy said that the regulation on political parties does not indicate that new regulations should not be accepted unless they are registered with EC.

At the same time, MDP’s new regulations have now been registered with EC, and also EC has in the past addressed Didi as ‘President of MDP Dr Didi’; which means that Didi having signed the case filed to court in his capacity as MDP President is not a reason not to proceed with the case.

Following this decision, state lawyer Ahmed Usham said that the state wished to assess this ruling by the Judge, and requested for time to decide whether to appeal the issue.

However MDP lawyer Hisaan Hussain said that the opportunity need not be given to assess court rulings, and that the case must proceed.

Hisaan also said that the state wants to prolong the case, and that MDP will not accept any delay in the case.

Usham responded by saying that he did not arrive in court prepared to respond to MDP’s claims, following which the Judge allowed him to provide his response at the next hearing.

Judge Hathif Hilmy said before ending today’s hearing that the state must respond to MDP’s claim at the next hearing, and also said that it will be the final chance to raise a procedural issue.

MDP first filed the case of Police and Armed Forces dismantling their camp at Lonuziyaaraiy kolhu with the signature of MDP Interim Chairperson Reeko Moosa Manik.

The court dismissed the case by indicating the Reeko Moosa Manik does not have the authority to sign a case filed to court by MDP, following which the case was filed again, this time with Dr Didi’s signature.