Electoral body calls by-elections as both sides celebrate Supreme Court ruling
The Elections Commission has announced by-elections after a much anticipated Supreme Court decision on the disputed status of four lawmakers saw both sides claim victory with opposing interpretations.
27 Aug 2017, 9:00 AM
The Elections Commission has called parliamentary by-elections after a much anticipated Supreme Court decision on the disputed status of four lawmakers saw both sides claim victory with opposing interpretations.
Citing article 74 of the constitution, which requires the apex court to determine “any question concerning the qualifications or removal or vacating of seats”, the Supreme Court ruled in a unanimous decision Sunday evening that there was no room to adjudicate cases filed by the four former Progressive Party of Maldives MPs who were deemed to have lost their seats for crossing the floor.
The court did not explicitly state that the MPs have been disqualified.
As opposition supporters gathered to celebrate, the electoral body announced in a statement late Sunday night that it has resumed preparations for the polls because the Supreme Court did not overturn its decision to hold by-elections in light of the court’s July 13 anti-defection ruling.
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