President of the council of Henbadhoo island of Noonu atoll, Hussain Aboobakuru has left main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) to sign onto Maldives Development Alliance (MDA).

MDA’s Vice President Mohamed Abbas announced this, confirming that Hussain Aboobakuru has switched from MDP to MDA.

Abbas also revealed that several residents of the Noonu atoll island have joined the party.

Some media outlets have reported that a case has been filed with the Elections Commission of Maldives (EC) by an anonymous person, claiming that he has lost his elected position as per the Anti-Defection law, after signing with MDA.

The Anti-Defection Law outlines the procedures and principles for conducting by-elections when seats become vacant and also addresses the course of action for members of the People's Majlis, city councils, atoll councils, island councils, and Women’s Development Committees (WDCs) in the Maldives who, after being elected on a political party ticket, either face expulsion from their party, voluntarily leave, switch to another party, or, in the case of independently elected members, join a political party during their term.