President criticises absence of PNC MPs in SC judges bill vote
The president stated that the party’s parliamentary group had issued a three-line whip on the bill and that no member should violate it.
President Mohamed Muizzu on Tuesday condemned the absence of some members of the Progressive National Congress (PNC) from a parliamentary vote on a bill to remove two Supreme Court judges.
The president stated that the party’s parliamentary group had issued a three-line whip on the bill and that no member should violate it. The bill, which seeks to amend the Courts Act to reduce the number of Supreme Court judges from seven to five, was accepted in Tuesday's sitting.
The PNC MPs absent from the vote are:
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Machchangoalhi North MP Mohamed Ibrahim
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Ihavandhoo MP Ahmed Naseer
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Milandhoo MP Hassan Mufeez Abdul Ghadir
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Kendhikulhudhoo MP Mohamed Afu Hamid
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Kudahuvadhoo MP Hussain Hamid
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Gan MP Yousuf Nasheed
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Thinadhoo North MP Saudullah Hilmy
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Faresmaathoda MP Ashraf Rasheed
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Fuvamhmulah South MP Ibrahim Hussain
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Hithadhoo Central MP Ahmed Azaan Marzooq
“The party has issued a three-line whip, and no one should ever violate it,” President Muizzu wrote in a message to the party’s parliamentary group shortly after the vote.
Three minutes after the president's message, parliamentary group leader Hussain Falah informed the group that action would be taken against members who violated party discipline.
"Action will be taken against those who deliberately violate discipline while a three-line whip has been issued," Falah wrote.
No further details have been provided regarding the disciplinary measures, as the specific rules have not been made public.
The bill was passed by the PNC parliamentary group on Monday, with several members voicing opposition. However, the group had agreed to follow the government’s instructions. The PNC leadership decided to support the bill later that night.
