Majlis passes councilor eligibility bill after adjustments

People’s Majlis has passed the bill on eligibility criteria for local council elections, allowing ex-cons the right to compete.

The amendment to Local Council Elections Act to lift the ban on ex-criminals submitted by Progressive Party of Maldives lawmaker, Holhudhoo MP Ali Mohamed was passed this Wednesday with the vote of 46 lawmakers.

19 lawmakers voted against the bill.

Adjustments were made to the bill by National Security Committee before it was resubmitted for approval.

The adjustments include limiting the ban to rapists and pedophiles; allowing anyone convicted of a narcotics related to run for local council seats seven years after completion of sentence or clemency; and allowing anyone sentenced to more than 12 months in prison for any other offense to run for local council seats three years after completion of sentence.

The controversial bill created a divide within PPM lawmakers, some of whom were vocal in their disapproval of the bill.

PPM lawmakers who spoke in support of the bill argued that anyone could commit a mistake, but that it wasn’t right to ostracize him or her for the rest of life.

And that imposing a criterion for local council membership which did not exist for People’s Majlis membership was unjust.

Main opposition party, Maldivian Democratic Party lawmakers questioned the motive behind amending the law after many of the political parties have already chosen their candidates for the upcoming Local Council Election.