Maldivian SC stays its earlier ruling to reinstate 12 opposition lawmakers

Male, February 19: Maldivian Supreme Court has put a stay on its earlier ruling of 1st February to reinstate 12 Parliamentarians who have lost their seats. The decision of three-member court came last evening as Parliament is to meet for an extraordinary session today to deliberate on the state of emergency. The verdict did not give any reason for the decision.

The three judges had already canceled other provisions of 1st February order which called for the release of nine opposition leaders and their fair retrial. Maldives government under President Abdullah Yameen had imposed 15-day emergency on 5th of this month and arrested Chief Justice and another judge of Supreme Court on charges of trying to overthrow the government.

Earlier, the first Parliament sitting for this year was scheduled to meet on 5th of February, but it was postponed indefinitely following the political turmoil. Opposition parties had claimed of the majority after reinstatement of 12 MPs but yesterday's order has again put them in minority, thus ensuring smooth approval of emergency by Parliament.

The Maldives has not seen a full Parliament session for several months as opposition MPs were not allowed to prove their majority on several occasions. Supreme Court judgment last evening has again put President’s party in command and to decide whether the emergency has to be lifted or extended. Parliament session was earlier canceled on 5th of this month and opposition MPs who tried to enter the Parliament complex were forcibly removed by security forces. Opposition impeachment motion against Parliament speaker is pending for months and government has prevented voting several times to avoid his removal.