High Court rules against annulment in all Parliamentary Election cases

High Court has ruled against annulment of elections for nine constituencies, following cases filed in relation to the Parliamentary Election held on 22 March. A total of 13 cases were filed to High Court in relation to the Parliamentary Election. This includes the nine cases requesting annulment of elections for nine constituencies, three cases requesting to annul results of ballot boxes, and one case requesting a court order upon Elections Commission to recount a ballot box. The cases requesting annulment of elections were regarding Hithadhoo-Medhu, Hithadhoo-North, Kaashidhoo, Feydhoo, Funadhoo, Felidhoo, Isdhoo, Vilingili, and Naifaru constituencies. The case requesting annulment of the result of the ballot box for Gemanafushi in Dhevvadhoo was filed by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). The case requesting annulment of the result of the ballot box for Thimarafushi in Veymandoo was filed by Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) candidate Ahmed Shareef. The case requesting annulment of the result of the ballot box for Nolhivaram in Male’ was filed by MDP candidate Ali Arif. The main complaint raised in cases filed by MDP and its candidate was that candidates of PPM forced government employees and bribed members of the public to vote for them. High Court ruled that not enough evidence was presented to prove that any such activity had taken place. Cases filed by PPM stated that MDP candidates bribed members of the public to gain votes. High Court ruled that not enough evidence was presented to prove that any such activity had taken place. The case filed by MDP candidate for Nolhivaram Ali Arif states that voting at the ballot box for Nolhivaram in Male’ began later than scheduled, and Elections Commission officials promised to compensate by giving more time in the end, but this was not done. Ali Arif claimed that this resulted in some voters being denied their right to vote. High Court said in its ruling that it was announced by Elections Commission while voting was ongoing that voting time cannot be extended, and that there was only one person on the queue when voting was closed – which means there would be no change in the final result of the election. High Court also noted in its ruling that complaints regarding bribery had not been filed to Elections Commission Complaints Bureau or investigative authorities. The 85 MPs elected to the 18th parliament will take their oaths of office on 28 May. Ruling party PPM secured 33 seats, while opposition MDP secured 26. Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) won 5 seats, Jumhooree Party (JP) won 15 seats, Adhaalath Party won 1 seat, and independent candidates won 5 seats.

High Court has ruled against annulment of Naifaru election.

Hearing to announce verdict on Naifaru election case is under way. JP has requested to annul the election and hold a re-run.

High Court has ruled against annulment of ballot box in Dhevvadhoo for Gemanafushi election, as not enough evidence was presented to court to support claims.

Jameel Usman, who won Gemanafushi election, has arrived in court for the hearing on Gemanafushi election.

Hearings to announce verdicts for Gemanafushi and Naifaru elections have been scheduled for 1:30 p.m. and 1:50 p.m. respectively.

High Court has ruled against annulment of Isdhoo election.

High Court has ruled against annulment of Hithadhoo North election. Hearing on Isdhoo election case is ongoing.

The court has announced verdicts on nine election cases. Hearings on the remaining four cases scheduled for today have not begun. Verdicts on Hithadhoo Uthuru, Naifaru, Isdhoo, and Gemanafushi election cases remain to be heard. Hearing to announce verdict on Gemanafushi election case has been scheduled for 1:30 p.m., and that for Naifaru election case has been scheduled for 1:50 p.m.

High Court has ruled against annulment of Vilingili election. The ruling states that not enough evidence was presented to allow an annulment.

High Court has ruled against annulment of Nolhivaram election. MDP candidate Ali Arif, who filed this case, has requested to annul the Nolhivaram ballot box in Male’, and to hold Nolhivaram election in Male’ again.

The hearing for the case requesting to annul Vilingili election is under way. The hearing to deliver verdict on the case on Nolhivaram election is also ongoing. The hearing for the case requesting to annul Hithadhoo Uthuru election has been scheduled for 11:00 a.m.

High Court has ruled against annulment of Feydhoo election. This case was filed by MDP candidate Nihad.

Hearing to announce verdict on Felidhoo election case has begun. Hearing on Felidhoo case has not been concluded. Each case is presided over by three judges.

Verdicts have been announced for five election cases so far. These hearings will continue until 1:50 p.m. Hearing on Feydhoo election case is ongoing.

High Court has ruled against annulment of Shaviyani Funadhoo election.

Hearing to announce verdicts for Feydhoo and Funadhoo election cases has begun. Everyone related to these cases and reporters have been allowed into High Court.

High Court has ruled against issuing an order upon Elections Commission to recount ballot boxes for Kurendhoo.

High Court has ruled against annulment of Thimarafushi election. The case filed by Shareef requests for a court order to recount the ballot box in Thaa Veymandhoo.

Hearing to announce verdict on case requesting to annul Thimarafushi election is under way. This case was filed by incumbent Thimarafushi MP Ahmd Shareef.

Reporters have been allowed into High Court for the hearing to announce verdict on Kurendhoo election case. This case, requesting a total recount of votes, was filed by JP.

High Court has ruled against annulment of Kaashidhoo election.

High Court has ruled against annulment of Hithadhoo Medhu election.