MP proposes nine amendments to the Sunset Bill

Nine amendments have been proposed to the bill seeking to decentralize administrative divisions of the Maldives 2020, by MP for west-Henveiru constituency Hassan Latheef.

Debating on the bill at Tuesday’s Parliament sitting, the MP continuously stated that he does not believe bringing amends to the Maldives constitution in this situation, will resolve anything.

He highlighted that the struggles of Speaker and Former President Mohamed Nasheed in arranging online sittings following the declaration of a nation-wide State of Public Health Emergency and the situation under which the parliament sitting was held on Tuesday is not a reason to bring amendments to the constitution.

In this regard, the MP highlighted that the People’s Majlis may instead, make other arrangements until an election is held. This, he believes is not against the constitution.

MP Latheef’s proposed amendments to the Sunset Bill come at a time a number of other members are opposing the bill, stating that it is against the legal mandate.

Further, the Attorney General, Ibrahim Riffath and Majlis Counsel General Fathmath Filza have also recommended the Decentralization Committee, to approve the fifth amendment motion.

The "special bill to ensure decentralized administrative divisions" was sponsored by MP for west-Henveiru contituency Hassan Latheef the second time round, after it was withdrawn from the parliament agenda the first time round.

The bill will come into effect once ratified and published in the government gazette and will be annulled once new officials take office.

Earlier in May, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih ratified the special bill to delay the Local Council Elections and the Women’s Development Committee Elections, indefinitely.

On April 13, ECM delayed both elections indefinitely at a time fears of the pandemic.