Sp. Majlis passes landmark chapter on presiden

In the final part of completing a new constitution aiming for unprecedented democratic reform, Special Majlis has passed the chapter on the president. Significant changes in the chapter include limiting presidential terms to 2.But this change would allow a president who have served more than two terms under the present constitution. The article said that no person can hold the presidency for more than 2 five year terms under '" this constitution" which the authors of the article, President Gayoom's ruling DRP believes would allow its leader President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom to seek 2 more terms.

But MDP and some other members say the article has in effect eclipsed DRP's hopes for President Gayoom's re-election. Opposition was jubilant when the article was passed with 66 members including all ministers voting for the change. This has become a major constitutional issue which will be decided by the Supreme Court. Speaker Gasim Ibrahim has ruled that Majlis is revising the constitution. While the opposition shares this view, DRP believes Majlis is making a new constitution

Another historic change in the chapter is giving equal right to women to become President. In a country where empowerment of women is a key policy, this decision was hailed by a large number of people. A person married to a foreigner can also become president. This provision is not in the present constitution and several people welcomed the change.

The new constitution also requires every presidential candidate to announce a person who will be the vice president. This is also a very important change when the country has decided to go for a pure presidential system. The Constitution also requires vice president to take the post of president in the event of the post becoming vacant.

The chapter on the president received several amendments from members and some of them were passed while major part of the draft submitted by the drafting committee was approved.

The Majlis will now deal with the chapter on the transitional arrangement. This is going to be another thorny chapter where there will be major differences between DRP and MDP. MDP joined by some other parties has forged an Alliance to challenge President Gayoom calling him to step down and form a transitional government. DRP has rejected a transitional government and has said they are working on the necessary transitional arrangements. Meanwhile MDP has proposed a draft of transitional chapter for consideration of the Special Majlis.

Transitional chapter was to be taken during the meeting yesterday afternoon. But the second part of the meeting after tea break has to be cancelled because of the required quorum not being present. Opposition members complained to the speaker this is why they tried so hard to finish the transitional chapter before the chapter on the president. Many members will not be here after that, an opposition member said.