Majlis approves LCE motion with amendments

The People’s Majlis has passed the special motion, the Sunset Bill regarding the Local Council Elections, which stated that voting should be held by January 6, 2021.

However, the motion was passed with the amendments proposed after the evaluation process by the Committee on Independent Institutions, during Wednesday’s sitting.

All 63 members present during Wednesday’s online sitting voted to pass the motion.

The bill was initially submitted to the parliament floor by Thulhaadhoo MP Hisaan Hussain who also proposed the amendments based on the committee report.

One of the amendments seeks to dissolve the suspension of Civil Service employees among the candidates vying for the elections.

Although the motion states that the latest date on which the elections may be held is January 6, 2021, the committee has amended the elections act mandating the Local Council Elections and Women’s Development Committee Elections to be held within a year after the amendments are implemented.

While a specific date to hold the elections has not been set under the amendment, the one-year period was given in order to vest the powers to allocate a date for the elections, to the Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM).

On April 13, ECM delayed both elections indefinitely at a time fears of the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, sweeping across the globe at a fast-rate have been increasing in the Maldives.

EC announced the decision to delay the elections on 12 March, the same day the State of Public Health Emergency was declared. Elections were initially scheduled for 4 April, however, it was delayed until 18 April amid Covid-19 fears.