MDP to Challenge LGA Decision Removing Thinadhoo Council President Over Party Switch
Vaavu Thinadhoo Council President Shujau Ali.
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has decided to file a case in the Supreme Court challenging the Local Government Authority’s (LGA) decision to declare Vaavu Thinadhoo Council President Ali Shujau’s seat vacant after he joined another political party.
MDP Chairperson, former President Mohamed Nasheed, said during a press conference held today that the party’s legal team is currently reviewing the matter and expects to submit the case within this week.
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The Local Government Authority (LGA) announced on Thursday that Shujau had forfeited his council seat under the Maldives’ anti-defection provisions after registering with the MDP following his election on a The Democrats party ticket. The authority confirmed that it had informed the Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) that the seat was now vacant.
ވ. ތިނަދޫ ކައުންސިލް ރައީސް އާ ގުޅޭގޮތުން މި އޮތޯރިޓީން ނެރޭ ނޫސްބަޔާން. pic.twitter.com/fbP0TbeY1w— Local Government Authority (@lgaMaldives) July 3, 2026
The LGA board reached its decision during its meeting on 30 June, stating that Shujau lost his position upon joining another political party, marking the first application of the anti-defection framework to a local councillor.
Shujau was elected to the Thinadhoo Council representing The Democrats. The Elections Commission dissolved the party on 11 April after failing to meet the legal membership threshold. He later joined the MDP.
Prior to the LGA’s final ruling, Shujau had been relieved of his duties as council president pending the outcome of the case.
The decision has drawn criticism from opposition figures, who argue that anti-defection rules should not apply when a political party is dissolved.
Former Democrats president Imthiyaz Fahmy said elected members should retain the right to join another party if their original party ceases to exist, describing it as a fundamental political right.
MDP President Abdulla Shahid also criticised the ruling, arguing that established legal procedures must be followed before declaring a seat vacant and calling for the decision to be withdrawn.
