The Supreme Court will pronounce its verdict at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, on the constitutional case filed by President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom seeking to nullify the results of the recently held Presidential Election.
The candidate for ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), who lost the election by a wide margin of 38,000 votes, filed at the apex court accusing the Elections Commission (EC) of election fraud and requesting a ruling to cancel the election.
The court held its final hearing for the case last week Tuesday. The five justices of the Supreme Court's bench unanimously decided against accepting confidential testimonies put forward by the president's legal team, stating that there was no cause to do so.
With everyone’s attention fixated on the verdict hearing of President Yameen’s vote annulment case scheduled at 1:00 p.m. today, a large number of people have been queuing up outside the Supreme Court since 8:30 a.m. The hearing is open to the public and will accommodate people up to the chamber's capacity. On average, 40-43 civilians are able to enter and witness the proceedings.
The court is taking down the names of civilians interested in witnessing the verdict hearing.
Legal teams and civilians have entered the court.
The Supreme Court has ruled against annulling the Presidential Election held on September 23.
The five justices of the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that there was no evidence warranting a change to the election's results, and that the election had not been rigged. The verdict read that there was no reason for the police and military to conduct a criminal investigation into the election under the court.
Supporters of the opposition coalition gathered outside the court are rejoicing at the verdict.
Following the court verdict, opposition coalition members are calling for investigations into the corruption accusation against President Yameen. Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s chairperson and lawyer, Hassan Latheef, declared that since the outgoing president is facing numerous graft allegations, he must be prevented from fleeing the country
EC member Ismail Habeeb stated that no one of sound mind would believe that there was cause to annul the presidential election results.
Speaking outside the Supreme Court, Hassan Latheef warned that legal actions will be taken against those who aid incumbent President Yameen to flee the country to avoid investigations into his alleged corruption.
The five justices of the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that if that any criminal activity believed to have occurred at the election are filed under common procedure at the relevant institutions, then those cases will be investigated. This was in reference to accusations raised by President Yameen, that the printing of ballot papers was awarded unlawfully to M7 Print Pvt Ltd.
EC's President Ahmed Shareef tweeted, thanking the commission's legal team.
We appreciate the work of EC legal team, well done! Thnx a lot to all staff of EC n to all who stood with the people’s decision
— Ahmed Shareef (@ShareefRangondi) October 21, 2018
PPM's deputy leader Abdul Raheem Abdulla declared in a tweet that he was proud of President Yameen, and that he would remain steadfast on the incumbent's side despite any changes in the political landscape.
President-Elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's spokesperson Mariya Ahmed Didi expressed joy at the top court's verdict.
“We are pleased that the Court ruled unanimously to uphold the will of the people. The case was based on conjecture & conspiracy theory. There’s zero evidence that the election was fixed. PrezYameen should do the honourable thing: accept defeat& ensure a smooth transfer of power”
— Mariya Didi 🎈 (@MariyaDidi) October 21, 2018
Jumhoory Party's founder Qasim Ibrahim tweeted that the judges of the Supreme Court have proven that justice is still alive and will prevail, and that corruption, deceit and deception are not of the path of justice.
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