Famous advocate Husnu Suood claims a stay order against Election Commission's decision to hold by-election at the constituencies of the apparent disqualified lawmakers over Supreme Court's vague verdict, can be filed at court.
Sunday night's verdict from top court regarding the anti-defection cases of the four parliamentarians had sparked mass confusion and debate between pro-government and opposition lawmakers. While government supporting parliamentarians have claimed top court's ruling has bolstered the claim of the MPs losing their seats at parliament, the opposition has maintained stance against it and insist the lawmakers are still safe from disqualification.
Suood had tweeted his advice on Sunday night, to the parliamentarians in question, saying the MPs had the right to "lodge application at the Civil Court asking for an order stop EC from holding by-election."
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.
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.
Thus, the top court has confirmed that there was "nothing more to settle" over the anti-defection cases of the four lawmakers, rendering the claim of the specified lawmakers' disqualification null and void - according to several opposition tied members and politicians.
However, pro-government parliamentarian and Progressive Party of Maldives' (PPM) PG group leader Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik claims Supreme Court has upheld Election Commission's ruling over the anti-defection rule on the lawmakers.
Meanwhile vice-president of PPM Abdul Raheem Abdullah has said the disqualified MPs had challenged the rule at top court, requesting to dismiss the claim. However Supreme Court's verdict on Sunday night had fortified there's no room for the dismissal of the claim.
Amid the warring debate between pro-government lawmakers and opposition, Elections Commission took to the public their plans for the by-election going forth for six constituencies which includes the challenging lawmakers' constituents.
