The bill proposed in parliament amending credibility for candidates contesting in the upcoming local council elections, which allow individuals with a record of serious crimes to run for office, is against the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)’s policies, said party council member Yumna Maumoon.

The bill, proposed by one of their own – Holhudhoo constituency MP Ali Mohamed – pushed amendments to the Local Council Election Act, which the parliament agreed to send to committee review. In a tweet she sent out late Tuesday night, Yumna said that the bill is an affront to the whole ‘spirit of the party’.

As the bill currently stands, individuals convicted of serious crimes such as theft, drug abuse and dealing, child molestation, rape, and other crimes punishable under Islamic shariah will not be able to contest in the elections.

The amendments propose that individuals serving a sentence shorter than 12 months can contest, MP Ali Mohamed additionally proposed to allow full-time students to contest as well, in what he says is an attempt to make local government as inclusive as possible.

The proposal sparked tense debate on the parliament floor, with opposition MPs stating that allowing ‘thieves and rapists’ into local government is unacceptable. Further calling it an attempt to power the governments 'unlawful activity' and support its 'dishonorable candidates'. 

The parliamentary committee reviewing the bill has since removed the clauses to allow sexual offenders to contest.