MDP President Abdullah Shahid has criticized the government's proposal to give the President the authority to appoint the heads of the Election Commission (EC) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), asserting that such moves undermine the independent democratic system established by the 2008 Constitution.
Under the current law, the chairman and vice-chairman of both commissions are elected from among their members. However, the government has introduced two bills aimed at amending this law, effectively shifting the appointment power to the President.
On a statement on X today, Shahid expressed deep concerns over these proposed amendments, stating they centralize power in the hands of the ruling authority and pose a significant threat to democracy in the Maldives. He described the government's actions as part of a "dangerous secret agenda" aimed at establishing a dictatorship.
Shahid called for an immediate halt to efforts that would place the EC and ACC under presidential control, warning that it jeopardizes the democratic framework that the nation has long accepted.
In defense of the government's proposal, Attorney General Ahmed Usham noted that the appointment processes for the President and Vice-President of independent institutions vary across different laws. He pointed out that the MDP government had previously amended the Civil Service Act in 2021 to grant the President similar appointment powers.
Usham argued that there is no substantial difference between the earlier amendment and the current proposals, asserting that they are consistent with the government's broader legislative agenda.
Under the current law, the chairman and vice-chairman of both commissions are elected from among their members. However, the government has introduced two bills aimed at amending this law, effectively shifting the appointment power to the President.
On a statement on X today, Shahid expressed deep concerns over these proposed amendments, stating they centralize power in the hands of the ruling authority and pose a significant threat to democracy in the Maldives. He described the government's actions as part of a "dangerous secret agenda" aimed at establishing a dictatorship.
Shahid called for an immediate halt to efforts that would place the EC and ACC under presidential control, warning that it jeopardizes the democratic framework that the nation has long accepted.
In defense of the government's proposal, Attorney General Ahmed Usham noted that the appointment processes for the President and Vice-President of independent institutions vary across different laws. He pointed out that the MDP government had previously amended the Civil Service Act in 2021 to grant the President similar appointment powers.
Usham argued that there is no substantial difference between the earlier amendment and the current proposals, asserting that they are consistent with the government's broader legislative agenda.
