Just need parliament majority to bring development as envisioned: Vice President

The government only requires a parliamentary majority, and then the country will see development at the fast speed of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef said on Thursday.

During the campaign rally of Fathimath Saudha, who is contesting in the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for Sunday for the Faafu atoll Nilandhoo constituency on the ruling party People's National Congress's ticket, the Vice President remarked that so far, people have been listening to what politicians say at podiums and believing it.

Questioning the consequences of such actions, Vice President Hussain said that the former government has not developed the country in the last five years.

"Their job in the parliament was to submit resolutions and emergency motions. These attempts were made citing the intention to hold their government accountable," said the Vice President, who was the MP for Fares-Maathodaa constituency before assuming the position of Vice President.

However, the aim of this government is to use the parliament to bring about development, he said. Within the past six months, President Dr. Muizzu has used his cabinet to initiate development, he added.

"The government now only requires a parliamentary majority for things to move forward at the President's speed. With bills submitted with good research making way for good debate, he [The President] will implement the best course of action," the Vice President said.

The recently passed Anti-Defection Bill came into existence with the support of the Progressive party of Maldives/ People's National Congress (PPM/PNC) but it was repealed when the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) came to power, he said.

He said the bill was passed again by the MDP-majority parliament because they feared that the party might not retain a majority in Parliament.

During the campaign rally of President Dr. Muizzu's sister Fathimath Saudha, the Vice President urged the people to elect capable and experienced people to the Parliament.

The Vice President added that President Dr. Muizzu wants to increase the number of women represented in Parliament and urged the election of members who will amplify women's voices in Parliament.

Vice President Hussain said that it is very important to have a member representing women during discussions with various institutions. However, the Vice President said that although the role of women in parliament has been small thus far, Sunday's parliamentary elections will bring about an opportunity change the current situation by electing women to the Parliament.

"Therefore, it is important to elect our candidate number two, Saudha, to make women's voices heard in the Parliament. This is an important step that the Nilandhoo constituency should take for the sake of the entire country," Vice President Hussain said.

There are 386 candidates contesting 93 constituencies in this year's parliamentary elections. However, this number includes only 22 women.