EC withdraws case seeking to delay elections; discussions ongoing with parliament
EC had previously filed a case at the High Court, seeking to indefinitely postpone the upcoming elections
Members of ECM at Tuesday night\'s meeting by the Parliament\'s Committee on Independent Institutions
The Elections Commission of the Maldives (EC) has withdrawn the case lodged at the Supreme Court, seeking to delay voting in the Local Council and Women's Development Committee Elections.
According to the EC, the case was withdrawn after the 19th parliament's Committee on Independent Institutions assured that the upcoming elections can be postponed through legislative avenues.
The EC had previously filed a case at the High Court, seeking to indefinitely postpone the upcoming local council and women's development committee elections. However, if elections are postponed indefinitely, the positions will be vacant until elections can be held due to the fact that the councillors' term in office will expire within April.
As such, EC withdrew the case from the High Court on Tuesday and resubmitted the case to the Supreme Court.
After the case was lodged at the Supreme Court, parliamentarians and members of the Independent Institutions Committee stated that this issue can be solved via legislative avenues.
The committee met with members of EC on Tuesday night where both parties agreed for EC to draft a bill accordingly and present it to the committee. EC stated that the draft will be presented by Wednesday morning.
Further, the committee determined to hold discussions with the Attorney General after EC submits the draft and make possible amendments to the legislature.
The local council and women's development committee elections were originally slated for April 4th but were postponed to April 18th in compliance with the 30-day state of health emergency declared across the country over Covid-19 fears.
