Majlis accepts presidential system

3 October 2007
Report: Soodh

Speaker of the People's Special Majlis Gasim Ibrahim has announced that the people of the Maldives has decided to have a presidential system in the country according to the result of the referendum on 18 August 2007. Gasim declared so at the 176 meeting of the Special Majlis held last night after concluding the debate on the report of the 11 member committee.

The Report culminated in a heated debate from the earlier meetings at the meeting on Monday night and many members participated in the debate. During the meeting Speaker Gasim said he agreed with members that a vote many not be necessary to decide whether or not to accept the report. He also agreed with members that a vote may not be taken to decide wether the report is valid.

Speaking in the debate Ibrahim Shafiu Chief Spokesperson for DRP and Presidents Member said that 11 Member Committee faced the problems that occurred during the referendum in a responsible manner and that the Committee has discharged their duties fully. Presidents Member Shafiu also said that the fact that problems faced by the Committee were included in the Report proves the validity of the Report.

Speaking at last nights Meeting Lubna Mohamed Zahir Hussain, Member for Shaviani Atoll, said that Rules and Regulations pertaining to the Public Referendum does not state that Majlis has to ascertain the validity of the result of Referendum and the final result of the Referendum is valid. She also stated that the Commissioner of Elections on the day of Referendum was announcing the results coming from islands after 11 Member Committee had finalized them.

However Member for Laamu Atoll Mohamed Naeem says that on studying the Report it can be deduced that people involved in the Referendum process was full of deceit and cheat. He also said that Member of the Committee was bribed to sign the Report. Naeem further said the fact that President of the Majlis has issued contradictory Rulings with regard to the Referendum on various sittings of the Majlis proves the involvement of the government. In response Lubna Mohamed Zahir said that Moosa Nizar, Chairman of the 11 Member Committee signed the Report with the majority consensus of the Committee and what the President of the Special Majlis said was not true.

When the debate time was over President of the Majlis Qasim Ibrahim stated that results of the Referendum was valid and final and as such Maldives will follow a presidential system of government.

After the Ruling some members made loud noises were made some members and Ilyas Hussain Member for Alifu Dhaalu Atoll started banging on the table and made loud noise to show his disapproval.

Next Meeting of the Special Majlis is scheduled for tonight at 21.30 hours.

VELIDHOO COMMUNITY