MP Azim retracts amendment that could unseat Maumoon

MDP member MP Ali Azim on Monday retracted the amendment he had proposed that had the power to unseat ruling PPM leader and former Maldivian President, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

Central Henveiru MP Azim announced the retraction saying that the situation of the country was not stable, and that he did not want to push the country to further instability with the amendment.

“Honorable Speaker, I do not believe the state of the nation to be that good. And this amendment, if it gets approved, could escalate the situation. I do not want the situation to escalate. I therefore announce that I am retracting the amendment I proposed to Political Parties Act,” said Azim.

The announcement was led by People’s Majlis Speaker Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed’s statement that the retraction put an immediate end to all proceedings pertaining to the proposed amendment.

It was after members had started debating over the amendment that Azim announced his surprise decision. The voting on the matter had been scheduled to take place on Monday.

Azim had proposed to set a maximum age of 65 years for leaders of political parties. The proposal was a threat to Maumoon, the leader of PPM, who is of 77 years of age.

PPM Parliamentary Group had agreed that they would vote against the amendment. A decision taken unanimously, according to PPM PG leader – Vilimale’ MP Nihan Hussain Manik.

He said that a screenshot of the amendment had been sent to President Abdulla Yameen and Maumoon as soon as the amendment was proposed.

The maximum age for president of the country was also recently amended to 65 years.