Civil Court orders Elections Commission to release funds to IDP

The Civil Court has ordered the Elections Commission (EC) to issue funds from the state budget to the Islamic Democratic Party (IDP).

In a verdict delivered on Sunday (August 31), the Civil Court ordered the EC to hand over funds owed to the party from 2011 to 2013.

Judge Mariyam Nihayath ruled that the EC did not have the legal authority to withhold the money by setting conditions or criteria that were not specified in laws or regulations.

The EC had said at the trial that the funds were not released to the IDP as it had failed to pay fines and was not active as a political party.

In July, the EC reinstated eight small parties – including the IDP – dissolved for not having a minimum of 3,000 registered members.

Following the controversial dismissal of former EC Chair Fuwad Thowfeek and Deputy Chair Ahmed Fayaz for contempt of court, the EC sought the Supreme Court’s advice concerning a ruling that abolished a requirement in the Political Parties Act for a minimum of 10,000 members.

The apex court advised the EC to reinstate the dissolved parties, which are entitled to financial assistance from the state from funds allocated in the annual budget.

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