Elections Commission asked by Supreme Court to respond to allegations, schedules hearing for Sunday

Elections Commission of Maldives has stated it has been instructed to respond to the allegations made in the case filed at Supreme Court of Maldives by the presidential candidate of Progressive Party of Maldives asking the results of the presidential election to be nullified.

Some media reports quote the President of Elections Commission Ahmed Shareef stating the Supreme Court has asked the Elections Commission to send a written response, before 1100 hours, next Saturday. Elections Commission has revealed a preliminary hearing of the case has been held and the case documents have been handed over to its lawyers. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has also scheduled a hearing for Sunday morning.

President Yameen has requested the Supreme Court to nullify the results of the presidential election on the basis of unconstitutional events allegedly carried out during the electoral process, according to the President of the Elections Commission. The lawsuit comes at a time when members of the ruling party have been conducting serial protests claiming several irregularities during the election.

In a statement issued about the lawsuit, PPM claimed the party has received several complaints from observers, monitors and other parties. The party claims the complaints range from those related to the printing of ballot papers to re-registration and tampering with results.

Regardless of the claims by PPM, Elections Commission maintains the presidential election held on September 23 was the most independent and credible polls conducted in Maldives.