High Court accepts Felidhoo election case

High Court has accepted a case filed by ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) candidate Ahmed Thaariq Zuhair seeking to annul the parliamentary election results for Felidhoo constituency.

Ahmed Thaariq Zuhair lost the Felidhoo seat to Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate Ahmed Maruzooq with a difference of 26 votes.

Thaariq’s lawyers said today that the case has been accepted and tabled for 2:00 p.m. on Monday.

The team has presented audio evidence and other proof that the person in-charge of the ballot box in Velidhoo had accepted bribes to influence the results, Thaariq's team of lawyers explained.

Thaariq has accuse the opposition candidate and supporters of having visited houses in Felidhoo hours before voting started, when campaigning was prohibited. He also claims that opposition supporters handing out bribes during this no campaign, the team said.

Thaariq's lawyers also said that they have evidence that a person from the opposition party handed out money and goods to voters near the Velidhoo ballot box placed in the capital Male’.

The issues were promptly filed with the Elections Commission’s National Complaints Bureau and the police, according to the required procedure, Thaariq’s lawyers said.