Maldives SC to hear case against presidential poll results

The Maldives top court has agreed to hear a legal challenge filed by the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) against the results of last month's presidential elections, the media reported on Thursday.

The PPM, led by outgoing President Abdulla Yameen, said it had filed the case against the results of the September 23 polls, alleging rigging, Xinhua news agency reported.

In a message on its official Twitter account, the Department of the Judicial Administration said the top court had agreed to hear the case. However, the court was yet to schedule a hearing.

The PPM said in a statement that the decision to seek legal recourse through the Supreme Court and High court was taken in accordance with the relevant articles of the Elections Act which said that poll-related complaints could be probed only through a court order.

The decision to seek legal recourse was taken by the party council in order to uphold the electoral right of its candidate and running mate as well as the rights of the party's members and the 96,000 people who voted for the president, the PPM said.

The Elections Commission earlier dismissed the allegations raised by the PPM and said there were no irregularities or complaints that could affect the outcome of the election.

Yameen had, a day after the presidential polls, conceded defeat and said he accepted the results of the election. In an address to the nation, he said he would stay on in presidency until the end of his term on November 17.

--IANS

soni/sed