HOPE no more

HOPE has been de-registered as a political party with immediate effect following continued breach of the Political Parties ( Registration, Conduct, Funding & Disclosures) Act, 2013.

Registrar of Political Parties Mohammed Saneem says on 12th April, 2021, the Registrar found that HOPE was in breach of section 26 (2) of the Act as it has failed to submit the audited accounts for the Year 2020.

Saneem says consequently, to ensure compliance with the law, the Registrar, in accordance with section 19(1) of the Act, issued the party with a notice to remedy the breach and in exercise of the discretion under section 19(3), the Registrar suspended the party until it had remedied the same.

He adds in the same notice, in accordance with section 19(2) of the Act, the Registrar clearly outlined the particulars of the breach and then directed that the party remedy the breach within 60 days or show cause why the party should not be de-registered.

The Registrar says at the end of the 60 days period and up until today, it is noted that HOPE has not remedied the breach and neither has it shown cause to the Registrar why it should not be de-registered.

Saneem further highlighted that on 14th June 2021, the Registrar made enquiries via email with the Registered Officer of the party on the status of compliance adding that it was noted in the response that the party was unable to remedy the breach and it needed more time due to COVID restrictions.

He also says it is noted that as of today, the party has failed to submit the audited accounts for the Year 2020 as required under section 26(2) of the Act.

Saneem says given the above, HOPE has failed to remedy the breach despite being given the requisite time under the law as well as additional time ( approximately more than 6 months) in light of the COVID limitations.