Nothing as important as Bill on Elections Commissioner - Members

21 November 2007
Report: Ayya

Members have said there is nothing more important than a free and independent Elections Commissioner. Members expressed their opinions in this regard at the debate time of the Bill on Appointment and Dismissal of the Commissioner of Elections.

MP for Kaafu Atoll, Maria Ahmed Didi said that this Bill is very important and the condition of the country had deteriorated to the present status quo because of the lack of an independent Commissioner of Elections and as the person appointed violates the laws and regulations as he wishes. She said in view of the actions taken against the political parties and many other incidents, there is no other more desirable than this Bill.

Maria further said members will not get the opportunity to freely walk through the door of the Majlis House unless a free and independent Commissioner is nominated.

Many members, who spoke during the debate time on the Bill, said that this is an important Bill and that it should be accepted by the Majlis. They also said amendments and the passing of the Bill should be carried out as soon as possible so that the Bill can be enforced without delay.

Mohamed Ibrahim Didi, MP for Fuvahmulak, who proposed the Bill, said as there is no free and independent Commissioner of Elections, polls have been rigged and many unelected people have members of the Majlis. As such he urged all members to accept and support the Bill.

Supporting the Bill, MP for Male’ Ibrahim Ismail challenged those members opposing the Bill and said the Bill can be accepted by the Majlis even though amendment of the constitution is going. He noted that already such independent bodies have been formed which are included in the new constitution.

All members who spoke on the Bill yesterday had expressed their support for the Bill. Ex Attorney General Dr. Hassan Saeed has said that this Bill was sent to the Majlis by him, through MP for Fuvahmulak, as he found it difficult to send the Bill normal government channels.

Ex Attorney General Dr. Hassan, who was one of the trusted and influential members of the President Gayoom’s cabinet, resigned from the government last August saying the reform agenda has failed.