11 Member Committee Report contains more lies than truth – Dr. Hussain

3 October 2007
Report: Soodh


The Report submitted to the Special Majlis by the 11 Member Committee formulated by the Special Majlis to oversee and coordinate the recent public referendum on the system of government on 18 August contains more lies than truth says Dr. Hussain Rasheed Member of Special Majlis for Thaa Atoll.

He made the statement speaking at the 175 Meeting of the Special Majlis held on the 1 October to make a final ruling on the results of the referendum on the system of government. Speaking at the debate time opened by the Chair, Dr. Hussain said that while it can be seen from the Report that the 11 Member Committee did not discharge their responsibilities, the Report clearly indicates the chairman of the 11 member committee signed the report complied by the Commissioner of Elections with the approval of the majority of the 11 member committee and that this contradicts the statement by the Chair in 174 session of the Majlis which revealed that the Chairman of the 11 member committee Moosa Nizar member for Vaavu Atoll signed the report by the Commissioner of Elections without obtaining majority approval of the committee thus violating the rules and regulations governing the committee.

Some members protested when the Chair, President of the Special Majlis Qasim Ibrahim decided to take a vote on whether or not accept the report. Members say that the report cannot be discussed and the chair cannot take a vote not to accept the Report.

Commenting on the issue Riyaz Rasheed Member for Thaa Atoll said in Majlis that the President had the right to open the floor for discussion however he cannot ask for a vote on report submitted any committee of the Majlis.

Speaking on the Report compiled by the 11 Member Committee, Moosa Nizar Chairman of that Committee said that the Report was submitted to the Majlis on the 27 of September and that the Report was compiled on how the responsibilities of the Committee was discharged. He also said that the Report details work carried out by the Committee with regard to the referendum.

Speaking at the debate time Ali Faiz Member for South Malhosmadulhu said that it can be seen from the report that the committee had failed to discharge their duties and that this Report was prepared just to produce something. He further noted that because of the influence the government had on the Majlis the Committee had failed to discharge its duties in a transparent and open manner.

Since the Report points out that irregularities did exist with regard to the vote on the system of government, Members of the Majlis belonging to MDP and independent Members of the Majlis raised their voice saying the results of the referendum announced is not valid and reiterated that the 11 member had failed to carry out their duties. Members of the Majlis representing DRP praised 11 member committee on the excellent work performed.

Seenu Atoll Member Husnu Suood proposed a motion to accept the Report as valid however the Chair of the Majlis Qasim denied the motion saying he has decided to accept the report.

Miadhu has received a copy of a letter sent to Qasim Ibrahim President of the Special Majlis. According to the letter 300.000 vote ballots were printed and an additional 5000 when re voting had to be carried out in Addu Atoll. The letter further states 155,890 ballots were released for voting purposes and that the balance remaining is 146,845. The letter further states the stock in the Commissioner office as 2265 ballots. However the letter did not offer any explanation as to what happened to the balance of the ballots that were printed.

VELIDHOO COMMUNITY