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EC seeks to have election day declared a public holiday

FI

Published

2 months ago

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Elections Commission (EC) is seeking to have April 21 – when the parliamentary elections is scheduled to take place – as well as the next day – as a public holiday.

The parliamentary elections was originally scheduled for March 17 – which falls within the first week of Ramadan.

But an MDP-sponsored bill banning national elections in Ramadan was ratified last week.

According to the legislature, if an election date falls within Ramadan, it must be held 10 days after Ramadan ends.

EC has announced that the election will now be held on April 21 – a Sunday – instead of during the weekend – when national elections are usually held.

EC’s vice chairman Ismail Habeeb told Sun that the commission will make a formal request with the government to have April 21 and 22 declared a public holiday, before office hours end on Sunday.

The decision follows criticism over the election date, with the main opposition MDP going as far as to suggest the decision was influenced by the government.

In a rally on Friday night, MDP’s advisor, former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, accused his successor, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, of influencing the EC into holding the elections on a working day.

The next day, Fuad Thaufeeq, the chairman of EC, wrote on the social media platform X that that the election was being held on April 21 because it is “the first day we get after taking 10 days after Ramadan.”

He said that delaying it any further could risk not being able to elect the next parliamentary assembly at least one month before the term of the incumbent assembly expires, as required by law.

The MDP had submitted legislature banning elections in Ramadan citing a likely low voter turnout.

The Parliament – which MDP holds a majority in – passed the bill on February 11.

But it was rejected by the president two weeks later, on Monday, citing that some of the provisions were in contravention of the constitution, and that changing the election date would result in “loss of public confidence.”

But the same bill was passed again, with a majority vote of 47-14, on Wednesday.

A day later, the president, after initially questioning the legality of the bill, signed it into law.

Source(s): sun.mv

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Fushidhiggaru project ongoing, will finish on time: Government

FI

Published

14 hours ago

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28/04/2024

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The Maldives government on Sunday assured Fushidhiggaru reclamation project, a key initiative under the vision of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, has not stalled and would be completed on the scheduled date.

President’s Office Chief Spokesperson Heena Waleed confirmed this on Sunday at a press conference, while providing details on other government initiatives.

The state has responded about the large-scale development project amid speculation in social media and by political opponents, claiming the initiative has stalled.

In response, Heena highlighted that the sand dredging in the project is currently on pause, stressing this was not indicative of the entire project being halted.

“I would like to ask, if they gauge the ongoing status of a capacity based on whether sand dredging is ongoing or not. Although sand dredging has stopped, there would be several other associated components of the project that requires attention and execution,” Heena commented.

She further said the project requires administrative and other work, all of which, she added, were ongoing.

“In response, I would like to reply that the Fushidhiggaru project has not stalled, it is ongoing. The project would conclude as per the scheduled date announced by the President,” she said.

Under the large-scale development project, 1,153 hectares of land will be reclaimed, which is thrice the combined size of Hulhumale’ Phase I and II.

The iniatiative commenced officially on December 18, 2023 while the Maldives President assured the reclamation component will conclude within eight months from the date of commencement.

Source(s): sun.mv

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Efforts underway to submit new laws to Parliament

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14 hours ago

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28/04/2024

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Chief Spokesperson at the President’s Office Heena Waleed has stated that efforts are underway to complete the administrative preparations for introducing new laws and amendments to the Parliament, with the government achieving a super majority in the parliamentary elections.

Heena stated there are several crucial laws to be presented to Parliament under the government’s week-14 legislative agenda. As such, laws relating to housing, the criminal justice system, social security are to be submitted. On this stance, Heena affirmed that the laws and amendments which have been stalled in the committee phase will be given a top priority to be implemented by the end of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s tenure.

Furthermore, Heena revealed that over 200 laws are to be implemented, aiming to fulfill President Dr. Muizzu’s commitment outlined in the government’s manifesto. She assured that the elected Parliament will play a significant role as their views align with that of the president.

Observing that the government attained a super majority during the parliamentary elcetions was due to the unwavering trust in President Dr. Muizzu, Heena affirmed that this advantage will not be exploited. She guaranteed that the super majority will assist the government in implementing and enforcing policies that will benefit the public as per the respective policies.

Source(s): PsmNews

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Islamic Minister discusses expanding Zakat House

FI

Published

2 days ago

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27/04/2024

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Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has met with the Director General of Zakat House Director Dr. Majid Sulaiman Al-Azimi to discuss upgrading the Maldives Zakat House.

The minister confirmed this via X (formerly Twitter), highligting that the two discussed about expanding the services of the Zakat House, including staff and Sharia Board training, and the legal requirements of Zakat recipients.

Earlier, the minister announced the administration’s plan to introduce a financial aid system to extend aid to orphans permanently. Dr. Shaheem said orphans will receive financial support annually until adulthood.

However, the minister did not specify how much the government intended to provide as financial support each year.

The current administration established the Maldives Zakat House with the objectives of increasing public awareness on the importance of paying Zakat, and foster love among the public towards the Islamic sacred act.

Under the Zakat Fund, government provided financial support to 52 individuals earlier in March 2024.

Statistics recently provided by the Zakat House showed the fund had been disbursed mainly in four areas, which are;

For Cancer Treatment – MVR 190,822.50
Brain Surgery – MVR 180,407.19
Heart Surgery – MVR 8,482.00
Transplants – MVR 25,443.00

Additionally, another MVR 227,872.50 was disbursed for various other areas.

Source(s): sun.mv

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