News

DRP re-files case to nullify decision to dissolve party as constitutional case

Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) has re-filed its case to nullify the decision to dissolve the party at the High Court of the Maldives as a constitutional case.

In December 2022, ECM ordered DRP not to conduct any political activities as efforts are ongoing to dissolve the party. ECM stated that the party had not reached the 3,000 members required to operate a political party before the three-month deadline.

DRP filed its first case at the High Court to nullify the decision under the Political Party’s Act. However, the High Court rejected the case and stated that it cannot be registered under the category. DRP has now re-filed the case as a constitutional case.

DRP was one of the first parties to be registered in the country and was founded by former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom. DRP split and members switched to other parties when the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) was formed due to differences of opinion in the party's leadership. The current leader of the DRP is Parliamentarian Abdulla Jabir.

DRP currently has 2,483 members, according to the political party registry. There are 11 political parties on the registry, most of which have less than 10,000 members. The law states that 3,000 members are needed for a party to be included in the electoral registry. Political parties with 10,000 members receive funds from the state budget.