Adeeb's MTD officially dissolved
MTD was officially dissolved after failing to maintain the minimum requirement of 3,000 registered members
Former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb
The political party founded by former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb, the Maldives Third-Way Democrats (MTD), has been officially dissolved and removed from the national registry of political parties.
According to the Elections Commission of Maldives, Article 30(a)(1) of the Political Parties Act requires a party to maintain a minimum of 3,000 registered members to continue its existence. When MTD’s deadline to meet this requirement expired, the party had only 2,277 members.
As the deadline approached, MTD requested a three-month extension. However, the Elections Commission stated that granting additional time was beyond its constitutional authority. Consequently, the Commission decided to dissolve the party on June 3.
The Elections Commission further noted that MTD was given 30 days to resolve its assets and debts and instructed to report back within 15 days of settlement. After the expiration of these deadlines, MTD was formally dissolved and struck off the registry.
In a statement condemning the political pressures faced by MTD, the party strongly criticized the Elections Commission's decision to dissolve MTD, which they claim is illegal. The party stated that this decision was made without the consent of its members and without providing due process, violating the constitutional rights granted to the party by the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives.
MTD also stated that the action is aimed at destroying the democratic system of the Maldives, suppressing political activities, and endangering the fundamental right to freely engage and participate in political affairs. The party said it will pursue all available legal avenues through the courts to seek justice against the unjust decision made by the Elections Commission in violation of the law. They also called on democratic institutions, civil society organizations, and international partners to stand with the party and its members in the matter.
The decision to dissolve Adeeb's party was made at a time Adeeb had indirectly criticized the government in a post made on social media platform ‘X’, on National Day.
Adeeb stated that the most important national duty is to ensure that Maldivians are free from hunger and debt, have access to housing, live in a stable environment, and that every citizen has their own e-wallet and receives a share of the country's economy, becoming prosperous Maldivian citizens.
