SC verdict in JP’s vote annulment case scheduled for Monday

The Supreme Court has scheduled a verdict in Jumhooree Party’s complaint seeking to annul the first round of the presidential election held on September 7 for Moday at 2:30 pm.

Despite widespread local and international election praise of the credibility of the polls, the third-placed JP had alleged the vote was flawed due to electoral discrepancies and irregularities amounting to a “systematic failures”.

After hearing witness statement, the Supreme Court ordered the Elections Commission (EC) to halt preparations for the run off scheduled for September 28. However, on September 26, Elections Commissioner Fuad Thaufeeq announced the run off would proceed as planned. The Supreme Court then issued a second injunction ordering the security forces to ensure compliance with its first order.

The police then surrounded the EC secretariat and brought elections preparations to a halt.

The delay in polls prompted a global and domestic outcry, and has led to unrest in Male’. Several Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) supporters have taken to the streets in protest. Further, several officers in the military have been suspended for allegedly “sowing discord” in the army.