President ratifies amendment disqualifying candidates who lose primaries from elections

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has ratified the amendment to Political Parties Act, disqualifying candidates who lose a political party primary from contending in any official election either as an independent candidate, or as a candidate of another political party.

The controversial amendment was ratified and published in the Government Gazette this Tuesday morning.

The amendment was submitted to People’s Majlis by the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives member, Vilingili MP Saud Hussain.

It was passed by People’s Majlis with the vote of 41 lawmakers. 29 lawmakers voted against the amendment.

MP Saud said he submitted the amendment with the purpose of providing a solution to the distress it causes members of a political party when a member of their party who loses a primary goes on and competes in an official election as an independent candidate or as a candidate of another political party.

The amendment takes effect immediately with the ratification and publication in the Government Gazette.