Labour Party and The Democrats Dissolved

The Elections Commission has deregistered the Maldives Labour and Social Democratic Party (MLSDP) and The Democrats after both parties failed to meet the legal requirement of maintaining at least 3,000 registered members.

In an announcement issued today, the commission said it had decided to remove the two parties from the official register of political parties after they failed to reach the required membership threshold within the given deadline.

The Elections Commission had previously decided to dissolve the Labour Party. However, following a Civil Court ruling, the party was reinstated in October last year and granted additional time to meet the membership requirement stipulated under the law.

The Democrats, which was formed following a split within the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), also failed to reach the required number of members. Many of the party's members have since rejoined the MDP. The Democrats had earlier resolved to dissolve the party, but its candidates later contested in the most recent Local Council Elections.

With today's decision, both parties have been officially removed from the register of political parties in the Maldives.