Thulhaadhoo by-election cancelled following High Court decision

The Elections Commission of the Maldives has cancelled a by-election it has announced to elect a new Councilor to B. Thulhaadhoo Council, following the decision of the High Court of the Maldives stating that the decision of the majority of Thulhaadhoo Council to throw out Councilor Umaira Umar, thus factually vacating a chair in the Council, was a prima facie void and illegal decision.

Councilors from the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) who have a majority in the Thulhaadhoo Council made a decision to ditch Umaira Umar who happened to be the sole representative of the opposition Divehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) in the Council early this year. MDP Councilors claimed that Umaira was dismissed for being absent for 7 consecutive meetings of the Council, although all official records showed consistently that Umaira was out of Thulhaadhoo to attend a training program conducted for selected Councilors from various parts of the country, in her capacity and as part of her official obligations as Councilor.

The case was referred to the Court by DRP and the Court declared on the 11th of last month by a unanimous decision of 3 sitting Justices that the decision of the MDP Councilors of Thulhaadoo Council to be extra vires and void.

Fuad Taufeeq, President of the Elections Commission, said today that the by-election planned for 20th of this month had been cancelled following the High Cour decision. He said that the by-election was cancelled in order to take the details of the matter into consideration. “There are things that need further scrutiny, as highlighted in the decision of the High Court, and that is the reason why we have cancelled the by-election. He also said that after due considerations, the issue may be raised again.