MDP to challenge "unlawful" removal of Thinadhoo Council President in court
5 ޖުލައި 2026 | އާދީއްތަ 10:54The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has condemned the Local Government Authority's (LGA) decision to remove Shujau Ali from his position as President of the V. Thinadhoo Council, labeling the move as unlawful. During a press conference, former President Mohamed Nasheed asserted that a councilor cannot be dismissed unless they fail to meet the legal criteria for office, and confirmed that the MDP’s legal team is currently preparing to challenge the decision in court.
The Local Government Authority (LGA) has declared that Shujau Ali, the President of the V. Thinadhoo Island Council, has lost his seat. | Adhadhu
The Chairperson of the MDP and former President, Mohamed Nasheed, has stated that the removal of the V. Thinadhoo Council President from his seat following his decision to join the MDP was carried out in violation of the law.
During its meeting held on June 30, 2026, the Local Government Authority (LGA) Board determined that Shujau Ali has vacated his position. The Board further decided to notify the Elections Commission that the seat is now vacant, pursuant to Section 29(a) of the Decentralization Act.
Speaking at a press conference held by the MDP on Sunday, Nasheed stated that the legal provision cited for the removal of the Thinadhoo Council President was not applicable to the dismissal of an individual. He further clarified that the eligibility criteria and qualifications for a councilor are specifically defined under Article 12 of the Local Council Elections Act.
Nasheed noted that the party considers the removal of the Thinadhoo Council President to be unlawful, as he has not violated any of the qualifications stipulated in the article governing the eligibility of councilors.
The MDP has decided to challenge the matter in court, asserting that he was dismissed despite not having failed to meet or lost any of the qualifications stipulated in that article.MDP Chairperson and former President Mohamed Nasheed
Furthermore, Nasheed stated that the party's legal team is currently making the necessary preparations to file the case in court. He added that efforts are underway to submit the matter to court within this week, noting that the lawyers are currently reviewing the case details.
