Elections Commission has not put forth the exact dates for the by-election of apparent vacant constituencies.
Based on Supreme Court's ambiguous ruling, Elections Commission derived the verdict as a go ahead towards re-electing lawmakers for the six constituencies of which the parliamentarians have now been declared as disqualified.
The vague ruling of Supreme Court has become the pot boiler for pro-government lawmakers and opposition counterparts, as they have since engaged in heated debate over the exact meaning lying behind the ruling. While pro-government and its allies claim top court's ruling indicates the lawmakers have indeed been dethroned from parliament seats, opposition took a counter stance over the issue.
Elections Commission announced by-election for Thulusdhoo, Maduvvari, Vilingili, Dhihdhoo, south-Machhangolhi and Dhangethi constituencies.
EC had specified that by-election will proceed once all the arrangements of elections administration are concluded.
A statement released by the Commission reiterated about their decision to hold by-elections for the six constituencies following the representative lawmakers' disqualification from seat, however emphasized the proceedings were put on halt due to challenges filed by four lawmakers at Supreme Court - thus the commission awaited for the conclusion of the cases.
EC stressed the Supreme Court's ruling did not contradict with their decision and ergo have decided to hold the planned by-elections.
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.
