No figures were divulged to nullify the elections: Hassan Latheef

Maldives Democratic Party’s chairperson, Hassan Latheef, stated that no “statistical figure” of rigged votes were provided in court other than the constitutional clause to nullify the Presidential Election.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday concluded its last hearing for the constitutional case filed by President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, seeking to nullify the Presidential Election held September 23.

The opposition candidate, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih received 134,704 votes in his favour, winning the presidential election with a pronounced lead of over 38,000 votes against President Yameen who received a total of 96,052 votes, marking the widest margin in a presidential election in the Maldives to date.

Latheef, on local news media ‘Raajje TV’ questioned how the election can be nullified when there is no evidence to claim that the election was rigged.

Opposition lawyer, Hisaan Hussain stated that none of the arguments made by the president about the alleged election rigging, provide sufficient evidence to warrant the nullification of the presidential election.

“How 38,000 votes were tampered with must be revealed. Otherwise, there is no opportunity to nullify the election,” said Latheef.

Latheef stated that according to the actions of the president and the statements of his legal team, he believes that supporters from ruling Progressive Party of Maldives do not believe the elections were rigged and that only a few amount of supporters actually want to go to court over the matter.

“We do not see concerned citizens. It is very clear that President Yameen lost by a large margin. Maldivians do not believe that President Yameen should remain in power,” said the chairman.

Latheef declared that it is the responsibility of those who file the charges to prove their claims.

Supreme Court rejected the request by President Yameen’s lawyer to present three confidential testimonies to the electoral case.

Chief Justice Dr. Ahmed Abdulla Didi, stated that the request by President Yameen's lawyers was denied as the judges bench did not find sufficient reason to allow the use of confidential evidence. The chief justice further added that a verdict hearing is to be scheduled soon if all is clear in the research process of the case.