Home Minister Umar Naseer has revealed that he had instructed the lawyers of former President Mohamed Nasheed to get his finger print and re-register himself as a member of the MDP.
MDP on Friday said the authorities have denied a request to meet with Nasheed to get his fingerprint following the country's electoral body decision to void membership forms of political parties without fingerprints.
In a tweet posted, Minister Umar said Nasheed’s lawyers have daily three hour meetings with Nasheed. In these meetings, Minister Umar said many documents were signed and/ or finger printed. Therefore, he said MDP was more than capable of getting the finger print in the same manner.
MDP deputy chairperson Ali Niyaz said the correctional service had informed the party that Nasheed's fingerprint can only be obtained through his lawyers. However, he said MDP wished to carry out the process through the Party.
An amendment to the Political Party Act in August mandates all party membership forms to carry the fingerprint of the member, along with name, address, signature, ID card number, signed date and age.
Elections Commission has decided to void existing members without fingerprints on their respective membership form from January. EC had given a deadline of December for all parties to comply with the amendment.