Former Elections Commission (EC) President Fuwad Thowfeek was summoned to police on Sunday night for questioning in an investigation regarding a leaked phone call between himself and former President Mohamed Nasheed.
In the leaked phone recordings, Fuwad and Nasheed are heard to discuss two issues – the Supreme Court case against the EC and the distribution of persons in the country’s municipal register to various constituencies.
A police media official confirmed to Minivan News that Thowfeek exercised his constitutional right to remain silent when questioned about the case.
Thowfeek was dismissed from his post by the Supreme Court earlier this month, and given a six month jail sentence, suspended for three years.
Delivering the verdict, the court contended that Thowfeek and his fellow EC members had “openly and systematically” brought the Supreme Court into disrepute, “deliberately challenged Supreme Court rulings” and “serially held [the court] in contempt” during press conferences.
The People’s Majlis subsequently declared the ruling unconstitutional, while its independent commissions oversight committee has maintained that he remains in his post despite the apex court’s verdict.
In response to the leaked recording, Thowfeek told media that he has shared concerns about the case with many politicians in addition to Nasheed, as well as having provided clarifications on the matter of the municipal register to all politicians who had requested him to do so.
Following the release of the recording on social media, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Abdulla Rifau ‘Bochey’ filed a case with the police alleging that Thowfeek had abused his powers as EC president.
The case has also been filed with the Anti Corruption Commission.
Coming out of the Police Headquarters after an hour, Thowfeek declined from commenting and was not answering calls at the time of press.
“I have nothing to say on the matter at this time,” he was reported as telling media.
EC Legal Director Haneefa Khalid accompanied Thowfeek to the police station as his legal representative.
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