The bill, proposing amendments to the respective commission laws, passed with 60 votes in favor. Five members opposed the ACC Act, while six voted against the amendment to the EC Act.
Parliament has accepted a bill granting the President the authority to appoint the President and Deputy President of the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Election Commission (EC).
The bill, proposing amendments to the respective commission laws, passed with 60 votes in favor. Five members opposed the ACC Act, while six voted against the amendment to the EC Act. The bill now proceeds to the Parliament's Independent Institutions Committee for further review.
Currently, under the Election Commission and Anti-Corruption Commission Acts, the President and Deputy President of each commission are selected by a vote among members during commission meetings.
The proposed amendments would allow the President to appoint the President and Deputy President of each commission from among its members, with the appointments subject to parliamentary approval.
The proposal has been criticized by members of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) who claim that this is an attempt towards expansion of government influence over independent bodies.
However, ruling People's National Congress (PNC) said that this change is necessary to improve the effectiveness of the commissions, which are not operating as they should.
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