Government run Progressive Party of Maldives' (PPM) Secretary General Dr. Abdullah Khaleel claims resisting opposition's initiative to block Elections Commission's slated by-election on six vacant constituencies will be futile.
He further bolstered his statement, guaranteeing the candidates running for the constituencies under PPM-backing would win by landslides.
Dr. Khaleel's comment is a direct response to the recent move by former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and opposition who had filed to intercept and cease the by-election, at Supreme Court.
The Secretary General of PPM also stressed the opposition not succeed in their cause to interrupt the conduct by-election adding that Supreme Court's verdict clearly dictates the parliamentarians in question had since been disqualified on legitimate grounds backed by Elections Commission's (EC) decision.
He was also quoted stating that Constitution mandates to hold by-election within 60 days after a lawmaker loses his seat at parliament.
"Their frivolous attempt to intervene by-election is absurd, its mandatory to elect lawmakers to vacant seats" Khaleel said, adding that the "Constitution dictates it."
Meanwhile EC has commenced work to generate budget for the impending by-elections; needed for the administrative aspects.
Although the opposition had reiterated they will stop at nothing to hold the by-election, they fired responses stating opposition allied lawmakers will run for the vacant posts.
Dr. Khaleel had also said the disqualified lawmakers cannot partake in the upcoming by-elections for which he reasoned the presence of several members in Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) interested to run for these vacant constituencies - adding this would result in an internal conflict.
PPM's Secretary General showed great confidence the ruling party backed candidates will win all six constituencies without any competition.
The ruling party currently is deliberating about the upcoming by-election and needed campaigning.
