EC 'shielded' by decree
For friends and foes of the Election Commission (EC), it is now a moot point whether ongoing criminal litigation can force the three commissioners out of office before the new general election on October 15.
The Royal Decree on Election Day has effectively shielded the commissioners from any penalties.The Criminal Court is scheduled to rule on Tuesday whether the EC has committed malfeasance relating to its decision to register additional candidates for the repeat vote of the April 2 general election on April 23. Even if the EC is found guilty and its members sentenced to serve prison terms, previous cases show that the court will grant bail pending appeal. The three commissioners will then have 30 days to appeal the ruling. This will fall on August 25, one day after the Royal Decree comes into effect. Under Article 148 of the Constitution, all legal proceedings against the EC must be suspended while an election is in progress.
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