The Civil Court has ordered the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) governing council to handover the reins of the party to its advisor – President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
The injunction was issued Sunday morning following a petition filed by two senior members of the party seeking court intervention to bring an end to the party’s leadership dispute.
They claimed leader – former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was operating outside the party charter.
The ruling effectively stripped President Gayoom of control of the party.
In its ruling, the court said control of the party must be handed over to its advisor, President Yameen pending a decision by the party council, and ordered him to convene a governing council meeting within 24 hours.
The court also declared PPM advisory committee “void ab inito” on the grounds that President Gayoom had not sought the council’s consent in setting up the committee, as per the party charter.
The ruling further said President Gayoom’s actions had been hindering PPM from functioning as a political party.
President Gayoom has said he will appeal the ruling at the High Court.