Civil Court rejects MDP case on referendum for fifth time

The Civil Court has dismissed a constitutional case filed by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) seeking to halt a referendum on synchronising parliamentary and presidential elections.

The case, filed for the fifth time, sought a ruling declaring President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s decree to hold the referendum invalid. The referendum is scheduled for the 4th of next month. The party also requested an interim injunction to stop the vote until a final decision is made.

The MDP argued that the decree did not include an information paper outlining its purpose, as required by law for public referendums.

In a decision issued Wednesday, Civil Court Registrar Abdulla Salam Ali rejected the claim form, stating that there must be evidence of attempts to resolve the matter before filing the case.

The decision stated that the MDP had not submitted documentation showing that a complaint had been lodged or a decision reached on the matter prior to filing.

“As such, the form cannot be registered as a constitutional case,” the decision stated.

MDP lawyer Ahmed Maaroof said in a social media post that the rejection was communicated after the claim had been revised and resubmitted.

He stated that the issue cited by the court had not been raised during previous submissions and argued that there is no alternative mechanism to challenge a presidential decree outside the courts.

Maaroof also said that the court’s actions had delayed the process.

Two related constitutional cases have also been filed at the Supreme Court. One case, which challenged the validity of the bill on synchronising elections, has been dismissed.

The second case, which challenges the referendum question and seeks to halt the vote, was heard on Thursday. Hearings have concluded.