Debate concluded; Voting on president's age bill scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

The debate on the Amendment Bill to the Constitution proposing to restrict the age for running for president and vice president to between 30 and 65, has been concluded, and the voting has been scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

The parliament sitting began at 10:30 a.m., with the presentation of the committee report on the bill by Chairman of the Independent Institutions Committee Funadhoo MP Ali Saleem.

The bill was submitted to parliament by Hoarafushi MP Mohamed Ismail.

The floor was opened for debate of one hour, but the debate lasted only three minutes. The MPs who participated in the debate are Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Parliamentary Group Leader MP Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik, and Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) Mulaku MP Ibrahim Naseer. Both MPs declared their parties’ support for the bill.

PPM, MDA, Jumhooree Party (JP), and MDP have announced that they will vote in favour of the bill.

Amendments to the Constitution require three-fourth votes in favour, which means 64 out of 85 MPs should support the bill for it to be passed.

If passed, this amendment means that former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and JP Leader Gasim Ibrahim will no longer be able to run for president. Gayoom will turn 77 and Gasim 65 this year.