Government will give due authority to Supreme Court decisions: President Yameen

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has assured the public that the government will uphold the rule of law, obey Supreme Court rulings and give the court their due respect and authority.

President made the remarks while speaking at a campaign launching event for Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) parliamentary candidate for Vilimale' Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik last night.

“Civilized societies obey Supreme Court decisions and move forward. God willing, my government will uphold the rule of law. All branches of my government will obey the Supreme Court’s ruling,” President Yameen said, referring to the Supreme Court's decision to sentence the Elections Commission chief Fuad Thaufeeq to six months in prison and disqualify Fuad and his deputy Ahmed Fayaz as members of commission.

Noting that the President’s Office has called for applications for the two Elections Commission member seats, President Yameen said the government will make every effort to fulfill their obligations and propose nominations to the parliament within the 6 days allowed by the Supreme Court's ruling.

Speaking of issues with the judiciary, President Yameen said; “MDP [opposition Maldivian Democratic Party] also agrees that there are issues of cases being stalled in court, even of cases that are not moving at all.

“On behalf of the government, I would like to say that we will not criticize decisions by the Supreme Court, or other tier courts for that matter. I will, God willing, give the proper authority to Supreme Court rulings," the President said.

Alluding that the government will not succumb to international pressure, President Yameen said that he had promised during the campaign that the his government will maintain the power to make domestic decision on the hands of the Maldivian public. However, it is worrying when smaller countries make “statements” in contradiction to the teachings of first world nations, he said.

President Yameen also criticized MDP’s idea to boycott the parliamentary election and called on the opposition to participate in the parliament if they seek to reform, especially the judiciary. Play on the field, the President challenged. Goals scored off the field cannot be taken into account, he said.