Double whammy: 12 MPs reinstated, PPM congress nullified
The EC reversed its decision to strip 12 former ruling party lawmakers of their seats.
03 Oct 2018, 9:00 AM
In a double blow to President Abdulla Yameen, the Elections Commission has reinstated 12 opposition lawmakers and nullified the ruling party’s congress.
At a meeting Wednesday, the five-member commission reversed its decision to hold by-elections in 12 constituencies represented by the former ruling party lawmakers.
After reviewing its previous decision to consider the 12 seats vacant, the EC decided that six of the 12 MPs cannot be stripped of their seats in line with the Supreme Court’s anti-defection ruling of July 13 last year.
In the case of the other six lawmakers, the EC cancelled its decision to hold by-elections as the Supreme Court is due to rule on their disputed removal. The apex court is the constitutional authority on settling disputes concerning “the removal, or vacating of seats, of a member of the People’s Majlis,” it noted.
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