Proposal seeks to remove ban on multiple petitions in parliament

A proposal has been submitted to amend the Standing Orders of the People's Majlis to remove a provision that prevents the submission of more than one petition concerning the same matter.

The amendment was submitted on Monday by Funadhoo MP Mohamed Mamdhooh of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC).

At the opening of Monday's sitting, the chair referred the proposal to the General Purpose Committee for consideration. The committee was scheduled to meet later in the day to review the proposed change.

The amendment seeks to remove a clause contained in Article (g) of the parliamentary rules governing the eligibility of petitions.

The provision currently states that a petition must not seek to reintroduce or duplicate an action or measure requested in another petition that has already been submitted to parliament and remains active.

If approved, the amendment would allow multiple petitions relating to the same issue to be submitted and considered.

The proposal comes amid debate over a bill to amend the Decentralisation Act. The bill would allow the state to reclaim land and lagoons under local council jurisdiction for government projects.

An electronic petition calling for the withdrawal of the bill has already been submitted to parliament with more than 2,000 signatures.

Under parliamentary rules, petitions that meet the required signature threshold must be brought to the attention of the Speaker and debated in the Majlis within three sittings.

Although two sittings have taken place since the petition was submitted, the matter has not yet appeared on the parliamentary agenda.

Meanwhile, supporters of the bill have launched a separate electronic petition calling on parliament to pass the legislation. The petition has attracted approximately 850 signatures.

Under the current Standing Orders, however, a second petition concerning the same matter cannot be submitted while another petition on the issue remains active.

The proposed amendment would remove that restriction and permit multiple petitions relating to the same subject to be considered by parliament.