The parliament committee has approved the motion to repeal the age limit on presidential candidacy.

The motion proposes to repeal the constitutional amendment banning those above 65 years of age from contesting the presidential elections.

Committee chair and Kudahuvadhoo MP Ahmed Amir told RaajjeMV that they forwarded the motion to the floor without any making any changes.

Votes from three fourths of the parliament membership (votes from 64 MPs) are needed to pass a constitutional amendment.

The amendment to cap the age of presidential candidates was passed in 2015 by then ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) in order to elect tourism minister Ahmed Adeeb as vice president.

The amendment states that only a person aged between 30 and 65 is allowed to contest for the presidency or vice presidency. Before the amendment, only those aged 35 and above were allowed to contest the positions. Adeeb was 33 when he was elected as vice president by parliament.

Due to the age limit, prominent politicians such as Jumhooree Party leader and parliament speaker Qasim Ibrahim (67) have been unable to contest the presidential elections.