Gov. looks to disallow 'politicized' motions against ministers
Article 101 of the constitution stipulates that a parliamentary vote of no-confidence can remove a minister from office, for any specified reason
Sign at the entrance to the Supreme Court, in Malé, Maldives
The Attorney General’s (AG) office has filed a case with the Supreme Court seeking to disallow no-confidence motions without a ‘valid reason’ against cabinet ministers.
The case was filed on Sunday, and the entirety of the Supreme Court bench is to preside over its hearing and decision.
Article 101 of the constitution stipulates that a parliamentary vote of no-confidence can remove a minister from office, for any specified reason, if the motion receives majority support. 10 signatures are required to table a motion of no-confidence against a minister.
“A motion expressing want of confidence in a member of the Cabinet may be moved in parliament, under the hand of at least ten members, specifying the reasons” Article 101 says.
Sunday’s case does not specify as to what constitutes the validity of a no-confidence motion against a minister, but states that it seeks to deter politicized acts within parliament.
An official from the AG’s office said that the constitution currently vests unjust authority with parliamentarians as it allows them to dismiss members of government for political reasons, adding that this is detrimental to the democratic principle of separating powers.
RaajjeMV understands that opposition parties are currently working to motions against three members of President Abdulla Yameen’s cabinet.
