Parliament today passed to deliberate on the motion submitted regarding a revision to the criteria for candidates contesting in the Local Council Elections. The motion was put foward by Holhudhoo Constituency MP Ali Mohamed.

Forty one MPs voted for the bill, while 23 MPs voted agains the motion. This was the first bill taken in for consideration by the Parliament this year and session.

Opposition MPs alledge that the bill was a travesty, to aid and abet the illegal actions of the Government. They claimed that there were no candidates with PPM who fit the criteria, given that most potential candidates had no integrity. Some members of ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) had also voiced against the Bill, with many advocating for amendments to the Bill at the Committee stage.

Speaking to Raajje.mv, MP Ali Mohamed stated that the Bill will revise the criteria for potential candidates, allowing a larger number of candidates to contest in the elections. He added that this Bill will allow citizens a wider choice, allowing for better representation at the Council level. He said the Bill remove any obstacles barring an individual from contesting and follows the Constitution.

When questioned if the Bill will hamper any current candidates contesting the April Local Council Elections, Ali Mohamed said he did not believe that this will impact any of the candidates. He added that no proposed amendment in the Committee stages will impact the candidates as well.

The Bill, he said, will come to effect two days after it will be passed by the Parliament and ratified by the President.

In spite of these claims, many had expressed serious concerns, noting that there was a possibility that this Bill will hamper the April Local Council Elections.