Minister of Fisheries Dr. Ibrahim Didi has said yesterday he will not let any government official exert undue influence over the upcoming parliamentary elections and said he will not let history repeat itself. Speaking at the Majlis yesterday, to present the bill on the parliamentary elections on behalf of the government, he said the Atoll councilors and their relatives will be permitted to contest in the election, and denied having knowledge of the present councilors’ intentions of running for parliament prior to their appointment.
Dr. Didi further stated the elections bill was “perfectly drafted” despite conceding some time-frames specified in the bill were not well thought out. He responded complaints from some members of parliament on the issue of independent candidates having to obtain 50 signatures in order to contest in the elections, saying that was likely to affect candidates of Vaavu Atoll only. However, he admitted that obtaining a certain percentage of signatures as opposed to a flat number was a better alternative.
G.dh MP Zahir Adam said the elections commission had lost its independence and accused unknown parties of pressuring the commission to handle the elections in a particular manner. He expressed his doubts that an independent election could be held given the current situation.
The president’s representative, Adnan Haleem said it while it was difficult to get 50 signatures for independent candidates it was by no means easier to get the endorsement of a political party. He also said the style of government had changed and people should work to promote the political party with whom they are affiliated.
Following the parliament’s endorsement of the amendment regarding independent candidates, some members pointed out the current elections bill narrowed down a number of rights provided in the constitution.
R. Atoll member Ali Waheed claimed the ad-hoc committee who analyzed the bill had only one elected member on board, and had acted in violation of the law. He proposed the bill be sent again to a parliamentary committee. Waheed, a long standing member of parliament, stated further the amendment requiring independent candidates to obtain 50 signatures went against Article 17 of the constitution and said there should be no distinction made between candidates and declared all candidates ought to have equal opportunity to contest in the election. That was the kind of issue that warranted a trial at court, Waheed added.
Dr. Didi further stated the elections bill was “perfectly drafted” despite conceding some time-frames specified in the bill were not well thought out. He responded complaints from some members of parliament on the issue of independent candidates having to obtain 50 signatures in order to contest in the elections, saying that was likely to affect candidates of Vaavu Atoll only. However, he admitted that obtaining a certain percentage of signatures as opposed to a flat number was a better alternative.
G.dh MP Zahir Adam said the elections commission had lost its independence and accused unknown parties of pressuring the commission to handle the elections in a particular manner. He expressed his doubts that an independent election could be held given the current situation.
The president’s representative, Adnan Haleem said it while it was difficult to get 50 signatures for independent candidates it was by no means easier to get the endorsement of a political party. He also said the style of government had changed and people should work to promote the political party with whom they are affiliated.
Following the parliament’s endorsement of the amendment regarding independent candidates, some members pointed out the current elections bill narrowed down a number of rights provided in the constitution.
R. Atoll member Ali Waheed claimed the ad-hoc committee who analyzed the bill had only one elected member on board, and had acted in violation of the law. He proposed the bill be sent again to a parliamentary committee. Waheed, a long standing member of parliament, stated further the amendment requiring independent candidates to obtain 50 signatures went against Article 17 of the constitution and said there should be no distinction made between candidates and declared all candidates ought to have equal opportunity to contest in the election. That was the kind of issue that warranted a trial at court, Waheed added.
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