Former Parliament member and President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s special envoy Abdulla Jabir has filed a case seeking to repeal a clause in the Political Parties Act which bars members who lose in party primaries from contesting independently.
Jabir who lost his bid for the Kaashidhoo seat in the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s primaries held in January, revealed via twitter that the constitution clearly emphasizes qualifications for Parliament members and that no one has the power to act against the constitution.
Jabir had taken to Supreme Court on Monday, the tweet read.
Jabir lost the seat to Abdulla Riffath, who won with a large margin.
Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) had brought the amendment barring members who lose primaries from contesting individually, in the previous government.
Abdul Latheef Moosa, an MP aligned with coalition partner Jumhooree Party (JP) had also submitted a motion to repeal the act and it was in committee review when Parliament went into recess in 2018.
The deadline for submitting bids for candidacy for the upcoming Parliamentary Election scheduled for 6th April, is set for 21st February.
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