Adhaalath Party bans women contesting for party leadership

Adhaalath Party a partner of the ruling coalition has amended its constitution to ban women from contesting for the party’s leadership.

According to reliable sources, the amendment was brought recently. Before the amendment, the constitution of the Adhaalath party did not specify the gender of candidates running for the leadership of the party. However, the amendment now states that only a male member is eligible to contest for the post.

According to reliable sources, the amendment was brought after former Gender Minister Shidhatha Shareef expressed interest to contest for the leadership of the party. It is also expected that if Shidhatha runs for the post the incumbent leader Imran Abdulla’s path to victory would be significantly narrowed.

Discussions are underway to allow women to contest for the post of deputy leader after banning women from contesting for the post of party leader.

Adhaalath Party’s congress is scheduled to be held in one months’ time and the incumbent leader of the party, Minister of Home Affairs Imran Abdulla has been in the post for 9 years.