The Election Commission (EC) has told the Supreme Court that extending the deadline to submit candidacy papers for the September 9 polls would prevent the election of a president within the timeframe stipulated by law.
The Supreme Court on Friday began hearing arguments in the candidacy rejection case of jailed opposition leader former President Abdulla Yameen. Yameen's lawyers are seeking an order to extend the deadline for nominations.
Lawyer Hamza Latheef requested to grant the opportunity for the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) to nominate another candidate in the event that the Supreme Court rules against Yameen.
Responding to the motion, EC Secretary General Hassan Zakariyya said if candidates were given more time to file their papers, the time allowed for campaigning should also be extended. In that case, the election date should be postponed, he said.
“If the date of the elections is postponed further, the whole voters' list will have to be redrawn and the whole election reordered, which may prevent the election of a president within the timeframe stipulated by the law, the constitution,” he said.
The deadline for nominations for the presidential election ends on Monday. The PPM's sister party People's National Congress (PNC) on Thursday elected Male' Mayor Dr. Mohamed Muizzu as a candidate if Yameen cannot contest.
