MDP's MP Yoosuf Ali has proposed an amendment to Article 4 in the 4th Act of the Constitution to the parliament to transfer the power held by the President to elect an EC member after the passing of the candidate by parliament entirely to the house.
Opposition party, Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) has proposed an amendment to the Elections Commission Act in a bid to transfer the authority of electing members of the Elections Commission (EC) to the parliament.
The amendment was submitted by MDP's Holhudhoo Constituency MP Yoonus Ali who highlighted that it is imperative for this authority to be held within the parliament.
Under Article 4 of the Elections Commission Act, the appointment of members to the Commission is presently under the mandate of the President.
However, the format of the Act currently only allows the President to appoint a member after the names of individuals who had applied for candidacy following the general announcement is sent to the parliament for review.
The amendment to the 4th Article in this act that was proposed by Yoonus confers the power of electing a member to the Commission entirely on the parliament by researching candidates applying for the position after an announcement and passing the candidate through the majority of the parliament.
Under this amendment, the only duty tasked to the President in relation to this process is to put in effect the official appointment of the candidate approved by the Parliament.
While a member of the opposition had led this motion to the parliament, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has delivered the name of Secretary General, Hassan Zakariyya to the parliament in order to fill the vacant position of Vice Chair of EC following the departure of former Vice Chair of EC, Ismail Habeeb after the end of his term.
Sign In