Parliament to hold further extraordinary sitting on constitutional amendment
Parliament, which is currently in recess, held an extraordinary sitting on Monday during which the amendment was introduced, debated, and accepted.
The People’s Majlis has decided to convene another extraordinary sitting to consider the government’s constitutional amendment bill proposing to shorten the term of the current parliament and to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on the same date.
Parliament, which is currently in recess, held an extraordinary sitting on Monday during which the amendment was introduced, debated, and referred to the relevant committee.
Before the sitting concluded, Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdullah said the extraordinary sitting had been convened following a request by 31 members, in line with parliamentary rules. He said the request covered five items, all of which have now been sent to the committee stage.
He said a further sitting would be held after the committee review, although no date was announced. Abdul Raheem also serves as chairperson of the ruling People’s National Congress.
Members of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party criticised the government for holding an extraordinary sitting and moving the constitutional amendment during the recess period.
Responding to the criticism, PNC parliamentary group leader Ibrahim Falah said the amendment was proposed to allow a public vote to be taken alongside the upcoming local council elections.
In addition to the constitutional amendment, two other bills were referred to committee on Monday. These were amendments to the Pensions Act and the Penal Code.
The President’s nomination to appoint former minister Aishath Rameela as chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives was also referred to the committee for consideration.
