High Court Dismisses MDP’s Appeal Against ICOM Directive on RTI Compliance

The High Court dismissed an appeal by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) against an Information Commissioner's Office (ICOM) directive requiring compliance with the Right to Information Act. This was the first time a political party challenged the Act. The MDP had failed to respond to an information request about coalition deals with the Adhaalath Party and Maldivian Development Alliance during the 2023 presidential elections. ICOM ordered disclosure in October 2023, citing state funding. The MDP's lawyer argued parties are not state institutions. The High Court registrar dismissed the appeal for lack of cogent argument. A prior ruling mandated state-funded entities to comply, but no Supreme Court ruling on state-owned companies.

The High Court dismissed an appeal by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) against an Information Commissioner's Office (ICOM) directive requiring compliance with the Right to Information Act. This was the first time a political party challenged the Act. The MDP had failed to respond to an information request about coalition deals with the Adhaalath Party and Maldivian Development Alliance during the 2023 presidential elections. ICOM ordered disclosure in October 2023, citing state funding. The MDP's lawyer argued parties are not state institutions. The High Court registrar dismissed the appeal for lack of cogent argument. A prior ruling mandated state-funded entities to comply, but no Supreme Court ruling on state-owned companies.

The High Court dismissed an appeal by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) against an Information Commissioner's Office (ICOM) directive requiring compliance with the Right to Information Act. This was the first time a political party challenged the Act. The MDP had failed to respond to an information request about coalition deals with the Adhaalath Party and Maldivian Development Alliance during the 2023 presidential elections. ICOM ordered disclosure in October 2023, citing state funding. The MDP's lawyer argued parties are not state institutions. The High Court registrar dismissed the appeal for lack of cogent argument. A prior ruling mandated state-funded entities to comply, but no Supreme Court ruling on state-owned companies.

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