Civil Court has ordered Maldives Police Service to halt the presidential primary election process of Maldives Democratic Party (MDP).
The court order reiterating that former President Mohamed Nasheed cannot contest in the presidential election, called on MDP to stop the primary held with him as a contestant. The court ordered Maldives Police Service and relevant authorities to halt the primary if MDP fails to comply with the order.
While the civil court ordered to stop a primary with just one contestant, MDP began its primary election in Male' and atolls against the instructions of Elections Commission. Moreover, Elections Commission has requested Maldives Police Service and Ministry of Home Affairs to halt the primary election if MDP moves forward with the process.
Noting former President Mohamed Nasheed is sentenced to 13 years in jail for terrorism charges, Elections Commission previously reminded MDP that any person convicted of a crime will not be eligible to contest in the presidential election.