Parliament passes constitutional amendment requiring ministers to publish financial statements

Parliament today passed a constitutional amendment requiring the Auditor General to make public the financial statements of government ministers and to take action against those who fail to submit them.

The amendment, submitted by Galolhu North MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu), was approved unanimously with 59 votes in favour, despite the ruling PNC holding a supermajority.

Under the revised Article 138 of the Constitution, ministers must now submit their financial statements not only to the Auditor General but also to Parliament. The statements must be certified by an auditor licensed by the Institute of Maldives Chartered Accountants.

The amendment also introduces salary deductions as a penalty for failing to submit financial disclosures within the required timeframe. Ministers who fail to file within 90 days will face daily salary deductions until compliance.

MP Mohamed also proposed amendments to parliamentary rules to require MPs to publish their financial statements within 30 days of assuming office. However, the General Committee has deferred that proposal for later consideration.

A third proposal to amend the Audit Act which would require members of independent bodies to publicly disclose their financial statements remains under review.