Civil Court on Tuesday has allowed main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) to intervene in the case filed by the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) looking to postpone the upcoming local council elections.
MDP confirmed the court's decision and said the party has been asked to file a statement to the court on Wednesday morning.
PPM in a case filed to the civil court had sought postponement of the local polls slated for January 14 citing the ongoing rift within the ruling party had impeded the party's preparations for the elections.
MDP secretary general Anas Abdul Sattar had said the intervention had been sought as party's candidates and members would suffer if the elections was postponed.
The party has held its primaries and designated candidates who would contest the elections on the party ticket.
"We have to again open for re-registration. A delay would also hamper the campaigns of the candidates," Anas had said.
"The elections is being held during the school holidays. So it would be difficult for the candidates and voters if the elections is delayed."
The divisions within the ruling party stem from a dispute between party leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and his half brother President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
The rift between the Gayooms grew to the point of causing a split in the party. The matter eventually saw its end in court with the reins of the party being given to the party's chief adviser, President Yameen.
The elder Gayyoom has however, continued to defy the court ruling and has since led a breakaway faction within the party with his supporters, and has since withdrawn his support for the government.
"Its not possible for the party to face the elections after overcoming the many obstacles it had faced recently," the lawsuit read.
The case had also argued that the party database and other key documents that had been reported missing after the handover, which had also hampered its preparations for the elections.
As the party would face irrevocable loss if it contested the elections on the scheduled date, PPM had urged the court to postpone the elections by two months.
