PPM lawmakers express concern over councilor eligibility bill

Bill proposed by Progressive Party of Maldives lawmaker, Holhudhoo MP Ali Mohamed to amend eligibility criteria to complete in local council elections has been criticized by lawmakers from both the opposition and the ruling party.

It is rare to see PPM lawmakers criticize a bill submitted by one of their own, but the bill submitted by MP Ali Mohamed drew widespread criticism.

Some PPM lawmakers straight-out voiced their opposition, and commented that the amendment was submitted without discussion within PPM Parliamentary Group.

Local Council Election Act currently imposes a lifetime ban on anyone found guilty of a crime punishable through Islamic Sharia, treason, bribery, distribution or abuse of illegal substances, child abuse or rape from completing in local council elections.

MP Ali Mohamed proposed amending the law to allow anyone sentenced to less than 12 months for a criminal offense to compete in council elections.

The amendment also allows anyone convicted of any crime can compete for council seats two-years after the completion of his or her sentence.

Preliminary debate on the bill started at People’s Majlis this Tuesday morning.

“I cannot back this bill given it allows pedophiles, drug addicts and other criminals to become a candidate once they are freed,” said North Mafannu MP, Mariya Ahmed Didi.

The biggest concern for lawmakers was that it would allow people who have committed serious crimes such as rape, child abuse, drug trafficking and robbery to gain council seats.

“Opportunity is necessary. But a two-year ban, in my opinion, is not a sufficient enough duration. A minimum 5-year duration is necessary. We are talking about people who are required to be heavily responsible for the wellbeing of people,” said Gemanafushi MP Jameel Usman.

PPM lawmakers; Ungoofaaru MP Jaufar Dawood and Maduvvari MP Mohamed Ameeth both supported MP Jameel Usman’s comments.

However, some of the PPM lawmakers also spoke in support for the bill – including Vilufushi MP Riyaz Rasheed.

MP Riyaz Rasheed argued that former criminals needed to be rehabilitated and provided opportunities, and that banning former criminals from competing in council elections wasn’t right.

“I don’t believe there is anything of major concern in this bill,” said Riyaz Rasheed.

The MP also commented that Cabinet ministers and heads of companies appointed during former President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration “played dirty movies”.

Meanwhile, criticism by PPM members to the bill drew the criticism of opposition lawmakers.

North Kulhudhuffushi MP Abdul Gafoor Moosa commented he was “seeing no one willing to back” the bill.

“A pedophile, a drug trafficker becoming president of a local council… It will we residents of the island who will know what to call him best,” said Abdul Gafoor.

Though the law currently bans perpetrators of major crimes will set punishments in Islamic Sharia from competing in local council elections, there is no such eligibility criteria for lawmakers.