Court looks into objection in case to add constituencies in Addu

High Court is now looking into the procedural objection raised in a case to increase constituencies in Addu City.

The court case was submitted by former attorney general Husnu Suood.

At the first hearing on January 22, the Elections Commission (EC) raised a procedural objection stating that the case was submitted without following the legal procedures, since complaints over the announced constituencies should be sent via letter to the EC.

EC stated that a court case can only be filed after the EC responds to the letter.

At a hearing on Tuesday, Suood’s attorney Mariyam Shunana said that complaints can only be filed over EC’s temporary report and that their court case is in relation their final report.

Noting the discussions EC held with the Addu City council, Shunana said that EC had expressed interest in splitting Maradhoo-Feydhoo into separate constituencies.

She said that increasing the constituencies is a constitutional case that the state and the Addu City council are already involved in.

At the hearing, EC’s attorney Mahfooz Saeed asked the court to give its verdict soon in order to give them time to make any possible changes before the upcoming parliamentary election.

He also repeatedly stated that the case should be filed after completing the proper procedures.

The judges’ bench stated that it will rule on the procedural objection as soon as possible and will work to hold another hearing this week.