The Peoples’ Majlis Committee on Independent Institutions has reviewed a letter from the Maldives Democratic Alliance (MDA) over the procedure followed by the Elections Commission (EC) on the membership registration forms submitted by MDA prior to ratification of the Political Parties Act.Following a unanimous vote by MP’s present at the Meeting, members of the EC were summoned to the Committee Meeting on 3rd April 2013.Members who attended the meeting are the Chair Mohamed Nasheed, MP for Kulhudhuffushi South, Hamid Abdul Gafoor, MP for Henveiru-South, Ahmed Abdulla, MP for

A ceremony has been held today to handover Energy Efficient LED tube lights donated by the National Development Reform Commission (NDRC) of the Republic of China to the Republic of Maldives in order to assist in combating the negative effects of climate change. The ceremony was held at SHE building/ Asaree Hall and was inaugurated by Minister of Environment and Energy, Dr. Mariyam Shakeela.The LED tube lights were handed by the Deputy Director of NDRC, Mr. Meng Xiangyue which was received on behalf of the Maldivian Government by the Minister.

Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed was freed on Wednesday after his overnight detention sparked anti-government protests that led to the arrest of over 80 opposition activists, police said. The release of Nasheed, the country's first democratically elected leader, came after he was taken before a magistrate on charges of abusing his authority when he was in power between 2008 and 2012. "We produced him (before a judge) in court today as instructed by the magistrate and after today's hearing he was free to go," police spokesman Hassan Haneef told AFP.

Police in the Maldives said Wednesday they have arrested scores of opposition supporters protesting at the detention of former president Mohamed Nasheed before his court appearance on abuse of power charges. After the regional powerhouse India appealed for calm on all sides, a police spokesman said 79 people had been taken into custody for causing "disturbances" during protests on the main island of Male. The spokesman Hassan Haneef said 17 women were among those arrested on Male during protests which went on late into the night.