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President ratifies Anti-Defection Bill

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2 weeks ago

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President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Tuesday, has ratified Act No: 3/2024, or the Anti-Defection Bill.

The act grants legal enforcement for lawmakers to lose their parliament seats upon floor crossing.

The bill for the act was proposed by Baarah constituency MP Ahmed Abdulla, who represents parliament’s majority, MDP. The bill was approved at the parliament earlier on April 01st, 2024.

President’s Office on Tuesday confirmed Dr. Muizzu has now officially ratified the act into active implementation.

The new law governs parliament MPs, atoll and island councilers, members of Women’s Development Committees as well; all of whom would be required to resign from their political positions should they switch their political parties.

According to MDP, the bill was proposed to ensure the lawmakers and other political designates remain affiliated to the political ideologies due to which they were elected by the constituents.

As per the newly ratified law, political designates including parliament MPs and councilers should resign under two distinct circumstances, which are;

  • Voluntary resignation from the political party through which the member was elected for the political designation
  • Registering on a different party [switching parties]

Besides this, the law also specifies two situations where a recall vote is mandatory, which include;

  • Dismissal or removal from the party from which the member was elected for the designation
  • Independent members signing for political parties

Under the Anti-Defection Bill, councilors and members of WDCs would lose their seats, if they;

  • Resign from the parties through which they were elected
  • Switching political parties, and if
  • Independent members sign for political parties

According to the law, if a member wins the recall vote, they can switch their parties, but would lose their position if they do not receive adequate recall votes.

For the seats vacated owing to defection or floor crossing, the Elections Commission (EC) is mandated with holding by-elections to elect new members as per the law, and the members who lose their seats have the right to contend as well.

During the 18th parliamentary assembly, an Anti-Defection Act was passed as well, but during the 2018 political turmoil, the same assembly annulled the law.

After the most recent presidential election, 14 members previously aligned with MDP exited the party following which the parliament majority party stressed the importance of an anti-defection law.

Source(s): sun.mv

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Fushidhiggaru project ongoing, will finish on time: Government

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1 day 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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1 day 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

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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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