Majlis approves amendment to not publicize financial statement of MPs spouses, children

The People’s Majlis has on Wednesday approved an amendment to its Standing Orders, which eliminates the need for lawmakers to publicize financial statements of their spouses as well as children below 18 years of age on the parliament's official website.

While Article 68 (a) of the Majlis’ Standing Orders state that parliamentarians are required to submit their financial declaration to the Secretary-General by August 31st every year, Article 68 (d) states that these records including that of lawmakers spouses and children below 18 must be published on the parliament’s website.

The change was brought to Article 68 (d), which states that the financial declarations submitted under Article 68 (a) must be publicized on the Majlis website after removing details on the finances of the spouses and children of lawmakers.

The amendment was proposed by Speaker and Central-Mahchangoalhi constituency MP, former President Mohamed Nasheed, and was reviewed by the general-purpose committee. While the committee presented its report to the parliament floor on Wednesday, West-Henveiru constituency MP Hassan Latheef had proposed an amendment to the committee report.

Latheef proposed to add a clause to Article 68, which states that copies of the financial records must be forwarded to the Auditor General’s Office “within seven days after the Secretary General receives the financial statements”.

While 65 lawmakers voted to pass the amendment to the Standing Orders, 62 voted in favour of Latheef’s proposal.