MDP’s claim against EC is rejected by court

High Court has rejected the claim filed by Maldivian Democratic Party against Elections Commission over its decision to cancel previously submitted candidacy application forms for upcoming Local Council Election.

Information officer of High Court, Ameen Faisal reported to “Sun” that MDP’s legal representative, Anas Abdul Sattar failed to attend the hearing scheduled for this Monday on time.

The hearing was held without Anas, and the judge presiding over the case, Judge Ali Sameer announced he had decided to reject the claim so that it cannot be re-filed with the court again.

During the first hearing in the trial, held on January 26, State prosecution argued that High Court did not have the jurisdiction to hear the case as complaints over electoral issues can only be submitted to High Court, after complaint over the issue is first filed with EC, and the complainant is unhappy with EC’s decision.

Local Council Election was originally scheduled for January 14, 2017, but was postponed by Civil Court, following a claim filed by ruling Progressive Party of Maldives.

EC announced the election will be held on April 8, announcing also that previously submitted candidacy application forms will be cancelled. And that independent candidates and parties are required to re-submit candidacy application forms.