The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has alleged that the Local Government Authority’s (LGA) threat to penalize council members involved in the party’s primary is ‘unjust’.

MDP released a statement on Monday, in which having condemned the LGA’s actions, the party said that the primary elections were held in accordance to their regulations.

The party said that the council members are being threatened by the LGA and some have even been penalized.

LGA, Maldives’ statutory administrational division regulator, said on Thursday that it has begun investigating island council members involved with MDP’s primary ballots. The LGA is investigating the matter on the grounds of council members having defied a court order.

The Elections Commission had previously threatened the party with dissolution if they allow former president Mohamed Nasheed to contest the elections, given that he has been found guilty of criminal charges and sentenced to imprisonment. The decision was supported by the Civil Court.

On Sunday, the LGA said that two council members of the Ukulhas island in Alif Alif atoll have been found to have been involved in the ballots, and that they are investigating the matter as well.