PPM begins campaigning for by-elections
Teams in Dhihdhoo, Thulusdhoo, Maduvvari
PPM teams in a group photo prior to departure
Ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) has begun campaigning for the by-elections, while Supreme Court is yet to make a ruling on the cases filed over stripping sitting MPs from their seats.
The MPs were stripped from their seats following the submission of no confidence motion on Speaker Abdullah Maseeh. Attorney General had fired back with a motion sent into the Supreme Court, which had come to a ruling whereby the seats of six MPs from PPM were nullified.
Following the Supreme Court ruling on floor crossing, Elections Commission had stripped Thulusdhoo Constituency Member of Parliament Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim, Madduvvari Constituency MP Mohamed Ameeth, Dhihdhoo Constituency MP Abdul Latheef Mohamed and Vilingili Constituency MP Saud Hussain from their seats. The Commission had also announced by-elections for these Constituencies, though no date was announced.
Clause 74 of the Constitution clearly states that only Supreme Court had right to determine if an MP had lost his seat. The MPs had submitted the case to Supreme Court on Thursday, though Court is yet to set a date.
PPM teams departed to the islands on Friday. One cabinet Minister and MPs composed the teams, which had gone to Thulusdhoo, Maduvvari and Dhihdhoo Constituencies.
Housing Minister Dr. Mohamed Muizz, Deputy Speaker and Hulhuhenveyru MP Moosa Manik, Fonadhoo Constituency MP Abdul Raheem, Kelaa Constituency MP Ali Arif, Hoarafushi Constituency MP Mohamed Ismail, Baarashu MP Ibrahim Shujau, Milandhoo MP Hassan Mufeed, Naifaru MP Ahmed Shiyam, Thaa Guraidhoo MP Hussain Manik Dhon Manik and Gahdhoo MP Mohamed Rasheed are in the team sent to Dhihdhoo.
Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim, Vilufushi MP Riyaz Rasheed, Guraidhoo MP Ibrahim Riza, Feydhoo MP Ibrahim Didi and Dhaandhoo MP Ahmed Assad are in the team sent to Thulusdhoo.
Defense Minister Adam Shareef Umar, Ambassador of Maldives to Thailand Mohamed Nasheed, Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah, Dhuvaafaru MP Mohamed Ali and Velidhoo MP Yameen Rasheed are in the team sent to Maduvvari.
No accouchement had been made on the potential candidates for these Constituencies.
Opposition MPs claim that those MPs who had been dismissed from their seats, were dismissed illegally. They also say that Elections Commission had acted illegally and that only Supreme Court can make that decision.
