Extraordinary Parliament Session Called to Address Cabinet Approval and Election Law Amendments

An extraordinary session of the parliament, convened outside of the regular schedule, is scheduled for Sunday to address matters pertaining to cabinet approval and proposed amendments to the law aimed at postponing the parliamentary election.

The agenda for the session encompasses the scrutiny by the parliament’s Government Oversight Committee concerning the approval of the cabinet and the consideration of a bill seeking to amend the General Elections Act, specifically to prohibit national elections during the holy month of Ramadan.

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Among the items to be discussed is the first reading of the bill submitted by Mohamed Shifau, an MP from the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) representing Ihavandhoo. This legislative proposal seeks to address concerns related to the timing of parliamentary elections during Ramadan.

Additionally, the session is set to include the first reading of a bill seeking to amend the Land Act, submitted by Meekail Ahmed Naseem, a Member of Parliament.

The call for this extraordinary session was a collaborative effort between the MDP and The Democrats, as announced during a joint press conference held on Wednesday evening.

The bill to amend the General Elections Act was prompted by the decision of the Elections Commission (EC) to schedule the parliamentary election for March 17th, coinciding with the observance of Ramadan. This decision has garnered unanimous opposition from all political parties.

Despite the current parliamentary recess, a new session is slated to commence on February 5th. The extraordinary session serves as a notable deviation from the usual parliamentary schedule, emphasizing the significance of the issues at hand.