MDP has assured primary will be held as per laws: EC

The Elections Commission (EC) has said that the main opposition party, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), has give assurance that its presidential primaries will be held as per legal procedures.

In a tweet on Tuesday, the EC said that the Commission will back and encourage all activities conducted by political parties that follow the legal ambit.

The EC has stated that MDP has given it's assurance that they will follow legal procedures and the primary rules during their presidential primaries in a letter on the 28th of May.

The letter reads that party primaries slated for the 30th of May, will proceed legally and according to party regulations. The primary ballots will follow all of the party regulations that are currently being followed.

The Commission had previously warned political parties that candidates contesting in political parties primary ballots must have certain qualifications to run for presidency, adding that it will annul candidacy of individuals who are legally unqualified to run for office.

According to the Commission, candidates must possess qualifications that come under article 109 of the Constitution which states that the elected President of the Maldives must not be one that has been convicted of a criminal offence or one for which punishment is prescribed in Islam or of fraud, deception or criminal breach of trust.

The EC's announcement makes all four opposition political leaders unapplicable for candidacy following the lengthy prison sentences issued on them.