EC filed case against MDP for ‘infringing upon incumbent president’s electoral rights’

The case regarding Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s illegal oil trade report was filed at the police by the Elections Commission (EC)’s Compliance Bureau.

MDP’s chairperson Hassan Latheef revealed this after being questioned by the police on Friday.

Speaking to the media afterwards, he said that they are seeking to levy criminal charges against him and added that it was the EC’s Compliance Bureau that had filed the case.

“This case was filed by the Elections Commission’s Compliance Bureau as they believe that it is a violation of President Abdulla Yameen’s electoral rights’, said the prominent lawyer.

Noting that the purpose of independent institutions is to hold the government accountable, Latheef said that it is concerning that instead they are investigating politicians for revealing certain information or filing cases at the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

MDP had lodged the case at the ACC earlier in September, saying that it has obtained credible information connecting the incumbent president to the vessel accused of being involved in illegal oil trade with North Korea which is registered in Maldives.

Noting that they had submitted a detailed report to the ACC, Latheef said that the purpose of this is so that these independent institutions can investigate the matter.

He further emphasized that ‘the people need answers’ and that investigating the party that submitted such a detailed report instead of clarifying the matter to the people ‘is a grave concern’ as well.

After questioning, police had informed Latheef to return on Saturday, with a lawyer.

While the party had held a press conference over the matter, Yameen is seeking defamation charges against the MDP, as well as RaajjeTV for airing the press conference. Both cases have since been filed at the Civil Court and the Maldives Broadcasting Commission (MBC).