Proposed Amendment Requires Parliamentary Approval for Ministries and Political Employees

An amendment to the Constitution has been presented in parliament, seeking to mandate the Parliament’s approval to establish ministries and appoint political employees after the President takes office.

Galolhu North Member of Parliament (MP) Eva Abdulla introduced the amendment to Article 116 of the Constitution in parliament today, outlining the requirement for the government to submit the details of newly created ministries to Parliament within seven days of their establishment. This includes information on the number of ministries and their respective functions.

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Moreover, the proposed amendment allows the Parliament to advise the President regarding the ministries created by the government, as well as the delineation of their areas of work.

To enhance transparency and accountability, the President will also be obligated to present the number of political employees necessary for the functioning of the ministries within 14 days from their establishment.

This amendment comes at a time when the government, despite previous assurances to reduce the number of political employees, has expanded the creation of ministries and appointed individuals to deputy and state ministry positions.

To provide context, a comparison of the number of ministries in previous governments highlights the varying degrees of ministerial structures:

1. President Mohammed Nasheed – 16 Ministers

2. President Dr. Mohammed Vahid – 18 Ministers

3. President Abdullah Yameen – 16 Ministers

4. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih – 19 Ministers

5. President Dr. Mohammed Muizzu – 22 Ministers