Supreme Court annuls MP Sinan’s disqualification

Supreme Court has overruled the decision by Elections Commission to disqualify South Machangolhi MP Abdulla Sinan for floor crossing and reinstated him to the People's Majlis.

The court made its decision with the unanimous agreement of all five Supreme Court judges this Monday morning.

Supreme Court noted in its verdict that Sinan sent his letter to Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) informing them of his decision to leave the party on July 10, 2017. And a letter to Elections Commission informing them of his decision the same day.

The court said PPM’s constitution explicitly states members are removed from the party the moment they send a letter to the office with their request.

And that though PPM sent its letter to EC informing the commission of Sinan’s removal from the party on July 20, 2017, Sinan was legally removed from the party on July 10, 2017, the date Sinan sent his letter to PPM.

The court ruled none of the conditions for disqualification of a lawmaker is applicable to Sinan.

PPM moved to remove Sinan from the party after he signed a no-confidence motion against Speaker of People’s Majlis, Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed.