Supreme Court of Maldives has scheduled a hearing on the case to nullify the amendment to the Political Parties Act, which states persons defeated in party primaries cannot compete at the relevant election.
The case which also demands the Supreme Court to nullify the amendment was filed by Abdulla Jabir and Abdulla Maniu Hussain. Of the two individuals, Jabir faced defeat in the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) primaries for the upcoming parliamentary elections.
At the last hearing of the case, presided by the full strength of the Supreme Court bench, Dr. Abdulla Didi said if there is nothing else to clarify regarding the case, the verdict hearing will be held. In this regard, the last hearing to reveal the verdict is scheduled for Monday.
Meanwhile, the plaintiffs have requested for a temporary order in the case filed separately. The case was submitted as a constitutional case and the plaintiffs requested the court to pass a verdict before the parliamentary elections. They said amendment to the Political Parties Act was submitted and endorsed at parliament following the local council elections in 2017.
The amendment states persons defeated in party primaries cannot compete at the relevant election, even as an independent or as a candidate representing another party.