Former president Nasheed pictured at an anti-government protest. PHOTO/AFP
Maldives electoral body on Sunday said it was contemplating an amendment to the political party act which would give it the authority to directly penalize political leaders for violations by a respective party.
According to the present legislation, the elections commission’s authority is only limited to levy penalties on political parties and not their leaders.
Commission member Ahmed Akram explained that the amendment would allow for more effective and responsible functioning of political parties.
Akram further insisted that an individual must be identified who can be held responsible for the political activities of a respective party.
The commission is currently engaged in discussion to bring an amendment to the law within the law.
“We are working to hold the leader responsible for the actions of a respective party within the law,” Akram added.
The amendment if passed could prove controversial amid intense criticism of the government for clamping down on opposition protests and rallies recently.
The elections commission’s move also comes after religiously conservative Adhaalath Party leader Sheikh Imran Abdulla was jailed for 12 years in February after he was held responsible for the violence that erupted during a mass opposition protest last year.