Another electoral dispute ends in PNC’s favor after HC validates vote declared void by EC

A new vote for the presidency of the Dh. Meedhoo Council has been triggered following a High Court ruling that validated a ballot previously declared invalid by the Elections Commission (EC).

EC had initially announced Suha Ibrahim, from ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), as the winner by a narrow one-vote margin after securing 393 votes. Mohamed Shahid from Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) followed closely with 392 votes.

However, the MDA later filed a complaint with the EC after discovering that an ineligible individual cast vote in a ballot box placed in L. Fonadhoo. At the same time, Suha also challenged the outcome, claiming that one of the votes counted in Shahid’s favor was invalid.

Following an investigation into the complaints, the EC revised the results and declared MDA candidate Shahid the winner by a single vote. Suha subsequently appealed the decision at the High Court, contesting the EC’s move to invalidate one of her ballots over a stray ink mark that differed from the ink used to mark the vote.

Delivering its verdict on Thursday, the High Court ruled that the disputed ballot cast in Suha’s favor was valid and ordered a recount of the results. The unanimous decision was issued by a three-judge bench comprising Judge Ismail Shafeeu, Chief Judge Abdulla Jameel Moosa, and Judge Hassan Shafeeu.

As a result of the ruling, both Suha and Shahid are now tied at 392 votes each. Under the current electoral framework, the deadlock necessitates a fresh round of voting to determine the council president.

In a similar development on Wednesday, the High Court invalidated three ballots cast in favor of a candidate in the Veyvah Council election after identifying marks, including dots, on the ballot papers. The votes belonged to the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate, whose tally fell from 121 to 118, resulting in victory for the PNC candidate with 119 votes.

Under Article 64 of the General Elections Act, the High Court holds original jurisdiction over electoral disputes. However, rulings issued by the High Court may be appealed further before the Supreme Court.