Parliament Defies Supreme Court Over Seat Count

The Maldives Parliament voted to defy a Supreme Court ruling on seat counting, maintaining a total of 80 seats instead of 87. The ruling required including vacated seats in the count. The proposal was led by MDP MP Saudh Hussain and seconded by Eva Abdulla, passing 25-2. Speaker Mohamed Aslam initially declared 87 seats but later accepted the defying vote. The controversy stems from seven seats vacated in November when lawmakers joined President Muizzu's administration, and the Election Commission declined by-elections due to upcoming parliamentary elections.

The Maldives Parliament voted to defy a Supreme Court ruling on seat counting, maintaining a total of 80 seats instead of 87. The ruling required including vacated seats in the count. The proposal was led by MDP MP Saudh Hussain and seconded by Eva Abdulla, passing 25-2. Speaker Mohamed Aslam initially declared 87 seats but later accepted the defying vote. The controversy stems from seven seats vacated in November when lawmakers joined President Muizzu's administration, and the Election Commission declined by-elections due to upcoming parliamentary elections.

The Maldives Parliament voted to defy a Supreme Court ruling on seat counting, maintaining a total of 80 seats instead of 87. The ruling required including vacated seats in the count. The proposal was led by MDP MP Saudh Hussain and seconded by Eva Abdulla, passing 25-2. Speaker Mohamed Aslam initially declared 87 seats but later accepted the defying vote. The controversy stems from seven seats vacated in November when lawmakers joined President Muizzu's administration, and the Election Commission declined by-elections due to upcoming parliamentary elections.

This story involves 1 source and may affect public understanding of parliament / seat count.