In order to analyse the proposed amendment to postpone the current parliamentary elections, which are set to take place on March 17, Parliament has voted to send it to a five-member committee.
It is suggested to change a section in the general election statute to mandate that elections must take place 10 days following the conclusion of the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Mohamed Shifau, the MP for Ihavandhoo in the opposition MDP, brought the proposal before the parliament. The amendment is a component of the MDP and Democrats’ agreement to cooperate in the legislature.
39 members approved the bill to modify the General Elections Act. Eleven legislators abstained from voting on the proposal.
MP Ali Niyaz of Hulhumale suggested referring the change to a committee consisting of five members. Mohamed Falah, the Member of Parliament for Maafannu West, backed his idea, and 38 MPs voted in favour of Niyaz’s request to form the committee.
Five members of the committee are as follows;
Henveiru North MP Ibrahim Muizzu (MDP)
Fuvahmulah North MP Mohamed Rasheed (MDP)
Kendhoo MP Ali Hussain (Jumhooree Party)
Maafannu North MP Imtiyaz Fahmi (Democrats)
Gaddhoo MP Ali Zahir (Democrats)
There were no representatives of the ruling Congress party on the committee tasked with reviewing the proposal.
Parliamentary elections are prohibited from taking place on any day during the Holy Month of Ramadan, according to a proposed amendment to the General Elections Act. He stated that ten days following the conclusion of the Holy Month of Ramadan, the parliamentary elections ought to take place.
The Election Commission is prepared to organise parliamentary elections following Ramadan should the legislation be changed to allow for such elections to take place following the holy month.
