Majlis amends regulations to weaken public petitions

The Parliament has passed an amendment to its standing orders, allowing for the submission of multiple petitions regarding the same issue.

The government has launched efforts to undermine petitions submitted to the People’s Majlis that oppose state policies, seeking to weaken public support for such initiatives.

Mohamed Mamdhooh Yoonus, the Member of Parliament for the Funadhoo constituency, submitted a motion on Monday to repeal Article 257-1 (h) of the current Standing Orders of the People’s Majlis. The provision in question stipulates that a petition cannot be submitted to the Parliament requesting action on a matter if a previous petition seeking the same action is already under consideration. The repeal of Article 257-1 (h) would allow the public to submit multiple petitions to the Parliament regarding the same issue.

Consequently, Member Mamdhooh’s proposal is viewed as an attempt to favor the administration by opening the door for government supporters to submit "counter-petitions" on the same subject.

During Monday's General Purpose Committee meeting, members voted to repeal subsection (l) of the relevant article and reorder the remaining subsections accordingly. The amendment, proposed by the PNC supermajority, faced no verbal opposition during the committee deliberations. The committee approved the change with a majority of seven members in favor, while two members voted against it. Consequently, the motion to amend the Parliament's Standing Orders has been passed.

During Tuesday's parliamentary sitting, the People's Majlis approved amendments to its standing orders with a majority of 56 votes. Nine members voted against the changes.

Many observers believe this is a calculated move by the government to undermine the influence of public petitions. By introducing competing petitions on the same subject, the government is accused of intentionally creating "chaos" within the Parliament to ensure these initiatives ultimately fail.

The unrest stems from a bill proposed by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, which seeks to grant the government the authority to repossess lands currently under the jurisdiction of local councils. A petition, backed by significant public support, has been submitted in opposition to the bill. The petition calls for the immediate withdrawal of the proposed legislation.

An e-petition submitted to the People’s Majlis calling for the withdrawal of the bill has garnered over 2,140 signatures. According to parliamentary regulations, this qualifies as a "Threshold 2" petition, a status achieved when signatures equal 0.5 percent of the Maldivian population.

This development has rendered the petition a historic one. It marks the first time a petition has been submitted with the requisite number of signatures to mandate a floor debate in Parliament, effectively becoming the first such submission that the legislature is legally obligated to deliberate upon.

After the Petition Committee had already accepted the initial petition and scheduled it for floor debate, the government submitted a second petition on the same subject. This second petition, filed by supporters of the People's National Congress (PNC), calls for the bill's passage, arguing that the legislation is essential for facilitating the delivery of basic services.

The original purpose of the petition system, designed to amplify the voices of the people, has been undermined by the government's direct interference. Many allege that this government-backed petition, which garnered over 850 signatures, is a "political stunt" orchestrated to diminish public support for the genuine grassroots movement.

With this amendment, any future petition submitted against the government could be effectively blocked if the government immediately submits a counter-petition on the same subject. As the Parliament's General Purpose Committee reviews the matter, concerns are being raised that passing this change would severely restrict the fundamental right to submit petitions.