High Court to hear challenge over one‑vote race that flipped after recount

The High Court is scheduled to hear the case concerning the Dh. Meedhoo council president seat from last month’s local council elections on Monday afternoon.

One of the most closely watched constituencies in the April 4 local council elections was Dhaalu Meedhoo. According to provisional results released by the Elections Commission (EC), ruling PNC candidate Suha Ibrahim received 393 votes, while Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) candidate Mohamed Shahid received 392 votes.  

However, the MDA filed a complaint with the EC after identifying that an ineligible person had voted at a polling station in L. Fonadhoo. The ruling PNC also submitted a petition requesting a recount.

Following the recount, the official results showed Suha with 391 votes and Shahid with 392 votes. Independent candidate Ibrahim Naseem received 100 votes, making Shahid the winner.

Suha’s side has since filed a case in the High Court.

Hearings in the case are scheduled to begin Monday afternoon. The High Court has unanimously accepted the motion to intervene on behalf of MDA candidate Mohamed Shahid. The bench hearing the case comprises Justice Ismail Shafeeu, Chief Judge Abdulla Jameel Moosa, and Justice Hassan Shafeeu.

Under Article 172(h) of the Constitution, any individual has the right to submit a complaint to the court regarding an election or its results. Under Article 64 of the General Elections Act, the High Court has first‑instance jurisdiction over electoral cases, and its decisions may be appealed to the Supreme Court.

Article 66 of the General Elections Act requires that election‑related cases be filed within 14 days of the announcement of official results.