JP leade Qasim and PPM Leader Maumoon leaving after a meeting.
Opposition Jumhoory Party (JP) on Tuesday denied rumors that they are backing the delay in upcoming Local Council Elections.
Meanwhile the National Advisory Committee on Monday had advised the Elections Commission to withdraw its appeal of the Civil Court’s verdict to postpone the Local Council Elections and to announce a new elections date again.
Speaking to Mihaaru, JP’s Secretary General Ahmed Sameer said that their representative could not take part in the meeting, though some media have reported that JP has also backed the suggestion to delay the elections.
“We have always supported to hold the elections on the dates mentioned in the Constitution, and with respect to the court’s decision, we do not support holding the elections against the court order.”
Sameer further added that JP has been preparing for the elections from the beginning, and that such a delay would alter public opinion on the election.
According to Sameer, 100 candidates applied for candidacy from JP. However, the Elections Commission did not accept four forms for various reasons.
JP does not have to conduct a primary to elect candidates as the party does not have enough candidates.
The Civil Court had ordered to postpone the Local Council Elections, originally scheduled to be held January 14, by two months after ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) had filed for a delay, saying that recent political disputes within the party had hindered PPM’s preparations for the elections on time. The Civil Court had ruled in favour of PPM, stating that proceeding with the elections such that PPM, currently the largest political party in the Maldives, cannot take part would be a violation of democratic policies, damaging the common interests of the state.