State has requested to finalize a budget of MVR 26 million from the proposed supplementary budget for the year to hold the by-elections of apparent six constituencies that was declared vacant by Elections Commission (EC).
EC's decision to conduct a by-election came amid serious confusion over Supreme Court's decision about the lawmakers' loss of credentials to their constituencies. The constituencies that have been declared vacant by EC includes Dhihdhoo, Vilingili, Maduvvari, Thulusdhoo, Dhan'gethi and South-Machhangolhi.
According to Maldives Constitution, by-election must be held within 60 days of a parliament seat declared vacant. However by-election for all six constituencies have not been conducted past due.
Meanwhile Finance Minister has confirmed that a total of MVR 26 million has been allocated from the supplementary budget of MVR 493 million proposed for this year as the initial budget had drawn near depletion.
Earlier on, a complaint lodged at Supreme Court by the opposition has requested to overrule Elections Commission's decision to host by-election and declare it unconstitutional and to adhere to the top court's ruling.
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 top court has said the ruling clearly states that it would not apply to any past events in retrospect to the latest precedent. 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.
While Supreme Court decision has split anti-government and pro-government faction in their comprehension of the ruling, the apparent disqualified lawmakers have been barred from entering parliament premises. Opposition had claimed a by-election for the vacant constituencies is not legitimate all the while Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) - the only pro-government party - members had commenced campaigning for these constituencies.
