MDP urges govt to withdraw EC, ACC appointment bills

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the largest opposition party, on Monday issued a statement denouncing the amendments granting the President the authority to appoint the heads of the Election Commission (EC) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

The new bills, which propose amendments to the ACC Act and EC Act, allow the President to nominate candidates for the roles of chairman and vice-chairman of these commissions, with final approval from Parliament.

Parliament on Monday conducted the first reading of both bills. Felidhoo MP Adam Zahir proposed the amendment to the ACC Act, while Kelaa MP Abdullah Shareef moved the amendment to the EC Act.

Proponents argue the bills aim to streamline the appointment process, yet opposition parties see them as a direct challenge to the country’s constitutionally mandated checks and balances.

According to the MDP, the bills are a step toward consolidating power within the President's Office, undermining the autonomy of the EC and ACC, which were intended to function as independent bodies. The MDP’s statement emphasized that the Maldives’ constitution assigns oversight functions to independent commissions to prevent undue executive influence on these institutions.

"Making the people responsible for the administrative management of the commissions appointed by the President is an uncivilized act of direct influence of the ruling power on the commissions," the MDP declared, warning that these measures threaten to erode the country’s constitutional system.

Additionally, the MDP accused the government of using its supermajority in Parliament to pass legislation that centralizes authority within the President’s Office, suggesting that President Mohamed Muizzu may be seeking to extend influence over state institutions.

"The people of Maldives, this party will not hesitate to do whatever it takes to protect and maintain the surveillance system enshrined in the Constitution," the MDP stated, underscoring their commitment to defending what they view as critical democratic protections.

The Democrats, a newly established party formed by former MDP leader and ex-President Mohamed Nasheed, joined the opposition chorus. Their statement expressed concerns about the implications of the proposed amendments for institutional independence, signaling that this legislation could compromise the checks and balances intended to protect democratic governance.