Defence Minister claims military officers support abolishing their voting rights

Minister of Defence and National Security Adam Shareef has stated that military officers support his decision to amend the Armed Forces Act, abolishing their voting rights.

He made the statement while speaking at the closing ceremony of MNDF’s 12th Military Drill Challenge, held on Tuesday night.

The Minister said his decision to amend the Armed Forces Act, to maintain a professional level within the institution, has been welcomed by the military leadership, as well as officers.

Minister Shareef claims the reason for the change is so that the military “will not have any political influence”, adding that this will strengthen the military’s “national spirit”.

He said that he believes that ruling party’s parliamentarians, as well as opposition MPs will support his proposed amendment to the Armed Forces Act.

“Will carry on with the work to bring the change after completing all the necessary procedures” said Minister Shareef.

Claiming that military officers must not be allowed to influence the public Minister Shareef had, on February 28, revealed the decision to submit a motion to parliament, to amend Article 20 if the Act.

READ MORE: Defence Minister to file motion blocking soldiers from voting

• Article 20 of the Armed Forced Act states that "the right vote accorded to every citizen of the Republic of Maldives by the constitution shall be a right for every servicemen of the Armed forces."

Leader of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), former President Mohamed Nasheed "must be able to vote".

In a tweet sent out on March 1, former President Nasheed noted that the armed forces "play a major role in building the country."

"They ensure the safety and protection of the people," said Nasheed, adding that "they must be able to vote."

READ MORE: Military officers must be able to vote: Ex-President Nasheed