The Maldivian Parliament has once again approved the Election Bill after President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu invoked Article 91(a) of the Constitution to return the Fifth Amendment Bill to the Elections General Act for reconsideration.
The initial amendment, spearheaded by Ihavandu MP Mohammed Shifau, sought to require elections be held ten days after the end of Ramadan. Under the proposed revision to Article 43 of the General Elections Act, elections would be barred from taking place on any day of Ramadan unless explicitly provided otherwise. If an election date coincided with Ramadan, it would be postponed until ten days after the month's conclusion.
Earlier this month, an amendment to the bill passed through Parliament with 46 votes in favor and three against.
However, the President has decided to return the bill for reconsideration based on legal advice from the Attorney General. The Attorney General identified constitutional discrepancies related to electoral conduct and fairness principles. The President's office stated that the President has outlined the Attorney General's recommendations and has decided to return the bill based on them.
Nevertheless, the bill was passed for the second time today, garnering 47 votes in favor while 14 members voted against it.
According to Article 91 of the Constitution, if a bill is passed by a majority of members of the House without any alterations, it must be approved by the President and published in the Government Gazette. With a total of 87 members in the House, a majority of 43 members is required for approval.
The initial amendment, spearheaded by Ihavandu MP Mohammed Shifau, sought to require elections be held ten days after the end of Ramadan. Under the proposed revision to Article 43 of the General Elections Act, elections would be barred from taking place on any day of Ramadan unless explicitly provided otherwise. If an election date coincided with Ramadan, it would be postponed until ten days after the month's conclusion.
Earlier this month, an amendment to the bill passed through Parliament with 46 votes in favor and three against.
However, the President has decided to return the bill for reconsideration based on legal advice from the Attorney General. The Attorney General identified constitutional discrepancies related to electoral conduct and fairness principles. The President's office stated that the President has outlined the Attorney General's recommendations and has decided to return the bill based on them.
Nevertheless, the bill was passed for the second time today, garnering 47 votes in favor while 14 members voted against it.
According to Article 91 of the Constitution, if a bill is passed by a majority of members of the House without any alterations, it must be approved by the President and published in the Government Gazette. With a total of 87 members in the House, a majority of 43 members is required for approval.
