Election suit by MDP postponed upon request of State

High Court has postponed hearing of Maldivian Democratic Party’s appeal over Elections Commission’s decision to nullify previously submitted application forms by candidates competing in the Local Council Election.

Local Council Election was originally scheduled for January 14, but was postponed upon order of Civil Court following its ruling to postpone the election by two months.

EC has announced that the Local Council Election will be held on April 8, declaring all previously submitted application forms by candidates as null, and reopening the application process.

MDP filed for appeal with High Court, requesting that the decision to nullify previously submitted application forms be declared void.

Court was due to hear the appeal at 1 pm, this Tuesday, but the hearing has now been postponed to Thursday, January 26.

High Court reported that the hearing was postponed upon request of State prosecution for more time.

Postponement of Local Council Election was granted by Civil Court following a lawsuit filed by the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) who claimed loss of important documents made them impossible to prepare for the election in time.

EC filed to appeal the decision, but later withdrew the claim.