News

PDP given until February 28th to remedy breach

January 30, 2018 1:10 am

The People’s Democratic Party has been given until February 28th to remedy a breach in their own constitution or face deregistration.

This was directed by the Registrar of Political Parties after their 30 day suspension was lifted yesterday.

Registrar Mohammed Saneem says PDP breached four of its own clauses in their constitution following a board Management meeting held on December 7th last year.

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“The 7th of December meeting actually did not have the full quorum requirement which is five management board members and hence we found that the meeting effectively under the constitution of PDP could not give sufficient authority to any persons to take any actions.”

The constitution requires five members of the Management board to be present, however there was only four as former party leader Felix Anthony was present but was not a member of the Board.

Following Lynda Tabuya’s resignation from the party, PDP was required to temporarily fill the vacancy through a Vice president which they failed to do.

“The PDP constitution clearly specifies the procedure for replacing a president who might have resigned and in the likelihood that a president does resign, a vice-president is then voted by majority in management board to take up that position and this was not done therefore.”

The PDP currently has two office holders, the General Secretary and Treasurer and the Registrar of Political Parties says the absence of various Office holders has breached its own Constitution.

Office holders of all political parties are also advised to ensure requirements under the Political Parties Act and their party constitution are thoroughly checked.

Attempts to get comments from PDP were unsuccessful when this bulletin was prepared.