Maldives: Ruling party challenges results of elections in Supreme Court

Male, October 11: In Maldives, the ruling party led by President Abdullah Yameen today challenged the results of the September 23 election at the Supreme Court. Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) in a statement said that the party has been overwhelmed with numerous genuine concerns related to the elections, including serious allegations of vote rigging, fraud, malpractice and corruption.

 

It said, the decision to seek legal recourse was taken in accordance with the response by the Maldives Police Service. Election commission had earlier rejected PPM’s allegations and declared opposition candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's victory with a record 38,000-vote margin.

The court could annul the election if irregularities are proven and the court determines that the results of the election could change. President’s Yameen five-year term ends on November 17th, on which Mr. Solih is to take over.

Opposition leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih won the Maldives' presidential election. Results released by the Elections Commission early this morning showed Solih has secured 58.3 percent of the popular vote. Celebrations broke out across the tropical archipelago with opposition supporters carrying yellow flags of Solih's Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and dancing on the streets. There is no response from President Abdulla Yameen after the results were announced.

The opposition claim of victory has come after it had expressed fears of fraud during the elections. The election commission has said that official results will be declared by Saturday. President Yameen or his team has not accepted defeat so far and all eyes will be on him today for his remarks. President Yameen has systematically tried to repress opposition challenge during past years and neglected international opinion. He had declared an emergency and arrested Supreme Court judges in February who ruled to release opposition leaders including former President Mohammed Nasheed.