Supreme Court Reverses EC’s Decision, Restores Aishath Afnaan Ali’s Candidacy

The Supreme Court reversed the Elections Commission's (EC) decision to reject Aishath Afnaan Ali's candidacy for the Keyodhoo constituency in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Ali, an independent backed by the People's National Front (PNF)—a party led by former President Abdul Yameen Abdul Gayoom being registered—had her nomination papers rejected by the EC citing missing criminal and financial records of her electoral agent. The court ruled that the EC had oversight and ordered the acceptance of her candidacy. The unanimous decision was made by a bench of Justices Mahaz Ali Zahir, Dr Azmiralda Zahir, and Ali Rasheed Hussain. Other candidates include Mohamed Niusham (MDP), Abdul Rauf Ibrahim (PNC), and Adam Abdul Latheef (The Democrats). This is the first time the apex court has overruled an EC decision on candidature. Meanwhile, the EC postponed the polls to 21 April, after President Mohamed Muizzu signed a bill amending the Elections Act.

The Supreme Court reversed the Elections Commission's (EC) decision to reject Aishath Afnaan Ali's candidacy for the Keyodhoo constituency in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Ali, an independent backed by the People's National Front (PNF)—a party led by former President Abdul Yameen Abdul Gayoom being registered—had her nomination papers rejected by the EC citing missing criminal and financial records of her electoral agent. The court ruled that the EC had oversight and ordered the acceptance of her candidacy. The unanimous decision was made by a bench of Justices Mahaz Ali Zahir, Dr Azmiralda Zahir, and Ali Rasheed Hussain. Other candidates include Mohamed Niusham (MDP), Abdul Rauf Ibrahim (PNC), and Adam Abdul Latheef (The Democrats). This is the first time the apex court has overruled an EC decision on candidature. Meanwhile, the EC postponed the polls to 21 April, after President Mohamed Muizzu signed a bill amending the Elections Act.

The Supreme Court reversed the Elections Commission's (EC) decision to reject Aishath Afnaan Ali's candidacy for the Keyodhoo constituency in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Ali, an independent backed by the People's National Front (PNF)—a party led by former President Abdul Yameen Abdul Gayoom being registered—had her nomination papers rejected by the EC citing missing criminal and financial records of her electoral agent. The court ruled that the EC had oversight and ordered the acceptance of her candidacy. The unanimous decision was made by a bench of Justices Mahaz Ali Zahir, Dr Azmiralda Zahir, and Ali Rasheed Hussain. Other candidates include Mohamed Niusham (MDP), Abdul Rauf Ibrahim (PNC), and Adam Abdul Latheef (The Democrats). This is the first time the apex court has overruled an EC decision on candidature. Meanwhile, the EC postponed the polls to 21 April, after President Mohamed Muizzu signed a bill amending the Elections Act.

This story involves 1 source and may affect public understanding of elections commission / court.