M faction slams bill disqualifying candidates who lose primaries from elections

Faction of Leader of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has slammed the move to amend Political Parties Act so that candidates who lose party primaries are disqualified from competing in any official State election, calling it unconstitutional.

The bill in question was submitted to People’s Majlis by Vilingili MP Saud Hussain – a member of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s faction.

MP Saud submitted the bill, saying that candidates who lose party primaries competing in State elections as independent candidates or candidates from another political party created conflict within political parties.

The bill bars any registered politician who loses a party primary from competing in any official election.

It says that Elections Commission will be required to cancel the candidacy of any such

politician if he or she submits a candidacy form for any official election.

Maumoon’s faction issued a press statement on Saturday, commenting that the bill was a violation of Article 26 (b) of Maldivian Constitution.

“Using inappropriate use of the majority to submit amendments to laws to repeatedly take away the rights guaranteed to the people by the Constitution, and passing such amendments in such frequency and in violation of the procedure of People’s Majlis is of immense concern to the members of this party,” read the press statement.

Maumoon’s faction also expressed concern over the point system which Yamen’s faction has announced it will be using to choose candidates for the upcoming Local Council Election.

The press statement said Maumoon had been receiving multiple complaints over the decision to bar candidates who do not score above specific points from competing in the party primary.

Maumoon’s faction said it clashed with a right of party members guaranteed through its Constitution.

“The aforementioned policies weren’t decisions made by party’s election committee. The policies weren’t set after discussion with the committee,” read the statement.

The point system was announced by Yameen’s faction after a council meeting on November 10.

Secretary-General of Yameen’s faction, Nilandhoo MP Dr. Abdulla Khaleel said a point system would be implemented to ensure that PPM puts forward candidates who are sure to win the election.

He said party primaries would be held only if there are multiple candidates who score above

75 points and want to compete as a PPM candidate for the same position.