With High Court ruling, Veyvah council seat goes to PNC

The High Court has overturned the victory of the MDP candidate for the M. Veyvah council’s general seat, awarding the seat to the ruling PNC.

MDP candidate Ahushan Naeem had originally won the election by a margin of two votes, securing 121 votes against PNC candidate Mohamed Nazeeh’s 119.

In its ruling delivered Wednesday, the High Court annulled three disputed ballot papers, all cast for Ahushan. The majority of the three‑judge bench held that the ballots were invalid, reducing his total from 121 to 118. With Nazeeh’s 119 votes unchanged, the PNC candidate is now the winner.

The judgment was issued by a 2–1 majority. Justice Abdul Rauf Ibrahim and presiding judge Mohamed Shaneez Abdullah ruled to invalidate the three ballots. Justice Ibrahim Mahir dissented, stating that there was no basis to alter the result.

Before the case reached the High Court, the Elections Commission conducted a recount following a complaint to its Compliance Bureau. The recount reduced each candidate’s tally by one vote but did not change the outcome.

With Wednesday' ruling, the opposition MDP loses its majority in the Veyvah council, shifting control to the PNC. The MDP holds the council president’s seat, while the PNC has already secured the women’s seat, giving the PNC two of the council’s three seats.