Will not ratify bill barring ex-presidents from parliament: President Solih

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Thursday proclaimed that he would not ratify the amendment to the Constitution, which seeks to bar former presidents from contesting in the parliamentary elections.

The amendment was submitted to both the Parliamentary Elections Act and the Constitution, by member of Jumhooree Party and lawmaker of Dhidhdhoo constituency, Abdul Latheef Mohamed. The bill seeks to add a number under Subject 73 (a) of the Constitution, which would render former presidents ineligible to run for parliament.

Following the submission, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) of the ruling coalition accused Latheef of targeting MDP's leader, Mohamed Nasheed, who is currently the only former president contesting for Parliament. Nasheed is running for the constituency of Machangolhi Central.

Speaking at a press conference in the President's Office, President Solih described the bill as "an amendment that infringes a right accorded by the Constitution". He asserted that he would not ratify the bill, even if it were passed by the parliament, which would need a three-quarter majority vote.

"I shall not support any amendments that would obstruct any individual from political work".

Latheef's proposed bill has also drawn criticism from legal advocates, who describe the amendment as being in conflict with the right to elections and political work, as accorded under the Constitution.

Should the parliament vote unanimously in favour of the bill without further amendments, even after the president returned it, the president would then be mandated by law to ratify the bill.

Latheef, who had lobbied the bill without holding any discussions with the joint parliamentary group of the ruling coalition, justified the amendment saying that the existing requirements to become a parliament member were decided based on the situation of the country in 2008. He further stated that the individuals who had served as president during the past 10 years already receive allowances and security as well as other expenditures.

Latheef emphasized that former presidents should follow in the footsteps of sample democracies and cater to the country by offering their services freely.

Jumhooree Party had ordered Latheef to withdraw the first bill he submitted, which was for the Parliamentary Elections Act. However, the Dhidhdhoo MP refused to retract it, and proposed the same amendment to the Constitution.