Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has denied Minister of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment Ahmed Mahloof and State Minister at the Ministry of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure Akram Kamaludeen the opportunity to run in internal elections.
They were disqualified from running in the internal elections for not meeting the criteria set by the MDP steering committee. The main ruling party has banned all individuals who were involved at any level in the corruption scandal of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) from contesting in any of the internal elections of the party.
Furthermore, MDP has also banned individuals named in any of the lists publicised by the Presidential Commission on the Investigation of Murders and Enforced Disappearances (DDCom) or the Presidential Commission on Corruption and State Asset Recovery, in relation to any crime. Individuals accused of rape and paedophilia are also banned from contesting in the party's elections. MDP has also passed the decision not to allow individuals to contest in the party's internal elections if they have not completed one year as a member of the party.
In the letters sent to Mahloof and Akram, MDP stated they have been disqualified from running in the elections as they are under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
In response to the letter, Minister Mahloof criticised MDP for violating democratic principles and said he should be able to run in MDP internal elections as he is a member of the cabinet and has not been found guilty of any crime.
Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) has stated it will forward Mahloof's case regarding his alleged involvement in the MMPRC corruption scandal for prosecution after the administrative work is completed. However, PGO has not made a statement on whether it plans to forward Kamaludeen's case regarding his alleged involvement in the scandal for prosecution.