Ministry of Foreign Affairs Male' Republic of Maldives No: 2013/52 MEDIA STATEMENT Supreme Court Annuls the First Round of the Presidential Election 07 October 2013, Male'- The Supreme Court of the Maldives has just announced its verdict on the case filed by the leader of the Jumhooree Party (JP) of Maldives, Mr. Qasim Ibrahim alleging serious irregularities in the first round of the Presidential Election that was held on 7'h September 2013. Whilst the voting had been largely peaceful and orderly as noted by foreign and local observers, JP had raised issues of serious irregularities relating to the voter register and other matters that could question the outcome of the first round of the Election. The Progressive Party of Maldives had also submitted a case to the Supreme Court requesting for a postponement of the election in order to ensure that the irregularities in the Electoral Register are properly rectified. The Supreme Court has annulled the first round of the Presidential Election that was held on 7d1September 2013 by majority decision. As per the Article 113 of the Maldivian Constitution, the Supreme Court of the Maldives is the highest authority in deciding any disputes in relation to the Elections. Hence all Political Parties and Candidates have to abide by the ruling of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court's judgment was based on the fact that 5623 votes were cast fraudulently. These include votes cast using false ID cards, in the name of the deceased, by minors, votes cast without a valid ID card, issues of double voting, votes cast using ID cards with conflicting permanent addresses and name differences as well as votes cast by those not registered under the Department of National Registration. It was held that these 5623 votes are sufficient to significantly alter the positions of the candidates that came 2nd and 3rd in the Election which was 2677 votes. The Supreme Court directed that the first round of fresh Presidential El