JP calls on EC members to

Vice presidential candidate of Jumhooree Party (JP) Dr Hassan Saeed has called on the current members of the Elections Commission (EC) to ‘step aside’, and make way for people in whom the public has confidence.

This remark came following the annulment of the result of the first round of the presidential election by the Supreme Court last night.

Speaking at the first press conference after winning the case requesting to annul the election result, Dr Saeed said that they ‘do not have the power’ to dismiss the members of the EC, hinting that this power is vested with the parliament.

“The main constitutional responsibility of the EC is to hold elections that are trusted by the people. The Supreme Court has ruled that this was not done, and also issued guidelines to be followed in the future. In such a situation, it is their disciplinary responsibility to step aside, and make way for people who are capable and trusted by the public,” he said.

When asked if efforts will be made through the parliament to remove the members of the EC from their posts, President of Adhaalath Party and member of Jumhooree Coalition, Sheikh Imran Abdulla said that they will not ‘waste time doing other things’ just now.

When asked what they would do if similar problems are faced following an election organised by the current members of the EC, Imran said that they will again file a case to court.

Dr Saeed said that the Supreme Court has been requested for an order to conduct a criminal investigation following the accusations of vote rigging in the first round of the presidential election; however, the court has not issued any order to facilitate such an investigation.

He said that the police can, nevertheless, investigate the criminal allegations against the EC following last night’s verdict.