High Court to rule on disputed council‑president vote after hearings conclude and both sides present arguments

The High Court is expected to deliver its verdict next week on the disputed Dh. Meedhoo council‑president vote from last month’s local council elections.

Meedhoo was one of the most contentious constituencies in the 4 April polls. According to the provisional results announced 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 lodged a complaint after discovering that an ineligible person had voted at a polling station in L. Fonadhoo. The PNC also filed a petition requesting a recount.

Following the recount, the EC’s official results showed Suha with 391 votes and Shahid with 392 votes, handing Shahid a one‑vote victory. Independent candidate Ibrahim Naseem received 100 votes.

Suha’s side subsequently filed a case with the High Court challenging the result.

Hearings have now concluded, with Shahid intervening in the case. The bench hearing the matter comprises Justice Ismail Shafeeu, Chief Justice Abdullah Jameel Moosa and Justice Hassan Shafeeu. The court is expected to issue its ruling within the coming week.

Under Article 172(a) of the Constitution, any individual may submit a complaint to the court regarding an election or its results. Article 64 of the General Elections Act grants the High Court first‑instance jurisdiction over electoral disputes, with decisions appealable to the Supreme Court. Article 66 requires that election cases be filed within 14 days of the announcement of official results.