Not quorum, but finalizing chapters is the issue – MP

07 September 2007
Report: Soodh

Shaviyani Atoll Special Majlis member Lubnaa Mohamed Zahir Hussain has said that it should be the finalizing of drafted chapters of the constitution that must be on debate in the Majlis and not the issue of lack of quorum of the drafting committee.

In an interview given to Velidhoo News, Lubnaa said that it is important that the drafted chapters of the constitution are debated instead of debating on the issue of quorum of the drafting committee. She said that if five or three meeting of the Majlis is continued, the drafted constitution can be finalized before the November 30 deadline.

She said that on the chapter relating to the rights of individuals does not have major disputes of members as everyone see those rights are important rights for every Maldivian citizen. “So, why no debate and finalize the chapters”, she said.

She said that if there are any amendments required, it must be discussed in the Majlis floor and should not be negotiated in the informal meetings. If negotiations are continued in the informal meetings, then the process of amending constitution will be delayed, she said.

Lubnaa further said that she strongly disagrees with the handling of the Speaker of the Special Majlis. She said that the informal meetings have not provided any positive results and that continuing the informal meetings is not the solution. She also said that people are not becoming aware of what’s going on behind the scene, as it happens in the informal meetings.

Following Lubnaa’s comments, Ibrahim Ismail, Ibraa who is the drafting committee chairman and MP for Male’ said that it was the opinion of Lubnaa. Ibraa said that Article 25 of the Majlis calls for the informal meetings and that the Speaker is handling the situation according to the rules. Therefore, even if she is not happy with the proceedings, she has to accept it, since it is the rule.

Though Lubnaa suggested that constitution can be concluded by November 30 deadline, Ibraa feels that the work may not be able to complete on schedule.

Kaafu Atoll member Maariya Ahmed Did said that members have made an agreement to conclude the work by November 30 deadline and also members decided that it would be carried out through informal meetings, and therefore, she said there are no comments for her to make over the decision of the Majlis members.

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