EC has no bias, dissolution of any parties will be as per law: Ahmed Akram

The Elections Commission of Maldives has no active interest in disbanding any political party but violations of policies and laws of the country will be dealt with accordingly, says member Ahmed Akram.

In his interview with state broadcaster Public Service Media, Akram said that there are policies that need to be adhered to and guaranteed the commission's utmost lack of any bias in dealing with their violation.

In this regard Akram said that political parties are required to follow these policies and the Elections Commission, being the statutory body tasked regulates parties, are expected to address them ‘as per law’.

“We hope not have to terminate any political parties, and it is not something that we are keen on doing either but if it is required under law we will do so” Akram said in Monday’s interview, where he also said that the commission will decide on date for this year’s presidential elections on Tuesday.

Ahead of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party’s primary ballots, the commission had threatened the party with dissolution if former president Mohamed Nasheed is allowed to contest, on the basis of him being sentenced to prison term on terror charges, that have since been denounced even by the United Nations Human Rights Commission.

Prominent lawyers, including former Attorney General Dhiyana Saeed, described the threat as baseless and British Ambassador James Dauris said it had been discussed in his most recent meeting with members of the UK parliament, who have discussed Maldives’ tense political situation twice before on the parliament floor this year.

The commission has the authority to compile a case against political parties and request its dissolution court. Its clampdown on the party has been described as politically motivated, and opponents of embattled President Abdulla Yameen continue criticize Ahmed Shareef, a known well-known supporter of the ruling party who the opposition says is Yameen’s ‘rubber-stamp’ at the commission.

While ballots were held as police cleared polling stations across the country, the party was able to count over 43,000 votes in Nasheed’s favour. Following vote-day, commission chief Shareef said that they are working to take action against the party.