Umaira files request for injunction at the High Court

Umaira Abu Bakr, the dismissed Councilor at B. Thulhaadhoo Island Council, has filed a request with the High Court of the Maldives for an injunction to stop the by-election planned by the Elections Commission of the Maldives for the “vacant seat”.

Umaira has already filed a lawsuit at Thulhaadhoo Magistrate Court against the unanimous decision made by her fellow Councilors at Thulhaadhoo Island Council to dismiss her from the Council. Her request at the High Court was aimed to put on hold the by-election until the Thulhaadhoo Magistrate Court makes a judgment in her case.

Umaira said today that she requested the High Court for an injunction last Thursday.

“I do not believe that I have been legally and validly dismissed from Thulhaadhoo Council. Hence, I have filed a case at Thulhaadhoo Magistrate Court to declare the decision taken by the remaining members of the Council void. I have requested the High Court to delay the by-election until my case is judged”, said Umaira.

Umaira, the only member belonging to the main opposition Divehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), was dismissed by the remaining members of Thulhaadhoo Island Council, all of whom are members of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), on claim that Umaira had been absent for six consecutive meetings of the Council for no reason. However, Umaira and DRP have repeatedly explained that Umaira was attending an official training session conducted for Councilors, though unheeded by the Council or the Elections Commission.

The Elections Commission of the Maldives previously planned a by-election to elect a councilor for the supposedly vacant seat at Thulhaadhoo Council, and the Court ruled against the decision and said that the Elections Commission had not taken all factors into consideration in deciding to hold a by-election. The Elections Commission says that “it has now considered all factors” and that it would go ahead with a by-election, which is scheduled for the 19th of this month.