The Supreme Court of the Maldives has concluded the hearing of former President Abdulla Yameen's appeal of the rejection of his candidacy for the presidential election.
The main opposition coalition has chosen former President Yameen as the candidate for the upcoming presidential election. However, the Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) stated that he currently does not meet the qualifications to become a presidential candidate, in accordance with Article 109(f) of the Constitution, as he is serving an 11-year prison sentence on charges of corruption and money laundering.
ECM stated that if the Constitution is interpreted to allow a person without a final verdict to run for the presidency, the possibility of serious criminals in the presidency and other state offices will be opened. ECM noted that the election would not be held on the scheduled date if an extension was given to the main opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). ECM also noted that the voters' list will have to be changed as well.
The Constitution states that an individual should not have been convicted of a criminal offense with a sentence exceeding 12 months, to be eligible to contest the presidential election. If such a conviction occurred, at least three years must have passed since the completion of the sentence or the pardon. Furthermore, the Elections General Act states that a case concerning the ineligibility of a candidate can only be submitted to the Supreme Court, after which the court will make a decision within seven days. The Constitution also states that such cases shall be decided by a bench consisting of all justices of the Supreme Court and that the decision of the Supreme Court shall be final.
Former President Yameen was sentenced to 11 years in prison on November 25, 2022, and ordered to pay a fine of USD5 million within six months. Speaking at the hearing on the fine, Yameen said he knew it was due and had no intention of not paying it. However, he said he was not aware of the deadline for the payment. The Attorney General's Office (AGO) stated that MIRA had sent a notice to Yameen on July 3 regarding the fine. However, Yameen has denied the allegations, adding that neither he nor his lawyers had received a notice or signed such a document.
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Ahmed Muthasim Adnan announced that the hearings of the case have been concluded and if there is no further clarification in the case, the verdict will be handed down. The case is being heard by a seven-judge bench at the Supreme Court.