Court concludes hearings on MPs Mustafa and Shah dismissal cases
While the Supreme Court held their first appeal hearing on Wednesday, the court has decided to give its verdict in the next
MPs being barred from entering the parliament building
The Supreme Court has concluded appeal hearings regarding Thimarafushi MP Mohamed Mustafa and North Fuvahmulah MP Ali Shah’s dismissal from parliament.
While the Supreme Court held their first appeal hearing on Wednesday, the court has decided to give its verdict in the next.
The Elections Commission declared the dismissal of the two MPs for violating a floor-crossing ban.
At Wednesday’s hearing, their attorneys noted that the Mustafa and Shah left Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) before the court’s floor-crossing ban on 13 July 2017.
Their attorneys stated that Mustafa and Shah filed their resignation at PPM and the Elections Commission on 10 July 2017 and that the party’s regulation states that members are considered to be dismissed on the day they file their resignation letter.
The Elections Commission’s representative stated that members are deemed to have left the party after the commission removes them from the party registry and that therefore Mustafa and Shah had left PPM on 31 October 2017.
The Elections Commission has recently reversed its decision to unseat a total of 12 MPs for violating the floor-crossing ban. However, since the Supreme Court is already holding appeal hearings, the court has nullified the commission’s decision.
The apex court has since ruled to re-seat four of the MPs. They are Thulusdhoo MP Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim, Villingili MP Saud Hussain, Maruvvari MP Mohamed Ameeth, and Dhidhdhoo MP Abul Latheef Mohamed.
The court will be holding the appeal hearings for Hanimaathoo MP Hussain Shahudee and Ihavandhoo MP Mohamed Abdulla on Thursday.
