The decisions by the Supreme Election Council are not consistent with international norms and standards and should be reversed. It is crucial for the proper functioning of democracy that the candidates who received the highest number of votes are deemed elected, and not second placed candidates from other political parties. Moreover, it needs to be ensured that the ineligibility criteria are aligned with international standards. While the removal of elected officials may exceptionally be justified by the need to prevent them from abusing their office to favour terrorist activities, replacing elected officials by candidates who lost the election, without fresh elections, cannot be justified on this basis.