EC ruling on MPs unconstitutional, rules Maldives apex court

Supreme Court of the Maldives has ruled that the decision from the Elections Commission (EC) nullifying the Parliament seats of 12 Members, was unconstitutional.

The EC’s decision was based on the ruling on floor crossing issued by Supreme Court. The EC decision was declared unconstitutional, as their decision was taken without first creating laws that are mandated under the motion on floor crossing.

Following EC’s decision, the 12 MPs were banned from even entering Parliament premises.

Laws dictate that a byelection must be held for seats that become vacant mid-tenure, irrespective of reason. The Government had pushed for a supplementary budget at the end of 2017, citing that it was necessary to hold byelections. However, no byelections were announced for the 12 Constituencies.

Law states that only Supreme Court had the authority to strip an MP from his or seat. Supreme Court had issued no rulings to this nature.