Maldives' top court late Sunday said it had "nothing more to settle" over the challenges filed by four rebel lawmakers who were disqualified by the elections commission based on last month's anti-defection ruling.
Elections Commission had disqualified four lawmakers who were dismissed from the ruling party under the recent Supreme Court anti-defection ruling to announce by-elections.
Thulusdhoo MP Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim, Dhidhdhoo lawmaker Abdul Latheef Mohamed, Maduvvaree MP Mohamed Ameeth and Villingili MP Saud Hussain had all challenged their disqualifications at the top court.
More than a month after the challenges were filed, the Supreme Court in its response had referred to its original anti-defection ruling and the subsequent explanation which has sparked confusion from both the opposition and the government alike.
Ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has been accused of engineering the constitutional dispute case asking the Supreme Court to disqualify MPs who defect or violate party whip-lines and or are formally removed from their respective party.
The three judge bench hearing the case unanimously ruled in favour of the government. The court had also ordered relevant institutions to bring into effect an anti-defection law.
The rebel lawmakers along with the opposition however, continued to insist that they would not lose their seats in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling.
Amid the contrasting opinion, the Supreme Court had issued a statement in attempt to lift the confusion, but has instead cast more doubts over the disqualification of the rebel ruling party MPs.
The top court has said the ruling clearly states that it would not apply to any past events in retrospect to the latest precedent.
On Sunday, the Supreme Court reiterated that the anti-defection ruling would only be effective from July 13 and would only apply to events from that date.
"Hence the ruling clearly applies to lawmakers representing a particular party from the said date, there is nothing further to settle over the matter," the unanimous response read.
The delay in the Supreme Court's decision had sparked opposition led rumours that the five judge bench remained divided over the challenges.
PPM has been devastated by a revolt after as many as 10 lawmakers backed an opposition led move to unseat the parliament speaker Abdulla Maseeh.
