The High Court has declined to proceed with an electoral complaint filed by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) seeking a recount of ballot boxes in the Central Hulhumalé constituency following the April 4 Local Council elections.

The Central Hulhumalé council seat was won by People’s National Congress (PNC) candidate Ahmed Sameeh Haneef with 916 votes, while MDP candidate Safaath Ahmed Zahir received 905 votes.

In its submission, the MDP alleged that a ballot which should have been classified as invalid was counted as a valid vote. The party argued that a recount could potentially alter the outcome of the election.

The High Court Registrar ruled that the case could not be accepted, stating that the MDP had not clearly established grounds to conclude that the Elections Commission’s decision against a recount was flawed.

The MDP had also filed additional complaints seeking recounts in other constituencies, but the High Court decided not to proceed with those cases as well.