MDP resubmits secret vote amendment

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has again filed an amendment to establish secret voting for no-confidence motions at the Parliament, after the Parliament passed against it on Monday.

The amendment was submitted this time by MDP’s Maafannu-dhekunu MP Ibrahim Rasheed.

The amendment proposed to Article 167 of the Standing Orders states that secret ballots should be taken at the Parliament and Parliament Committees for removing the President, Vice President and members of Independent Institutions from office.

Rasheed motivated the amendment by saying that considering the current political situation in the country, it is important to establish an independent and secure environment for Members of Parliamentduring voting.

The same amendment was earlier submitted to Parliament by MDP’s Baarah MP Mohamed Shifaz. The amendment was approved by the Parliament’s General Committee and presented to Parliament, but did not receive enough support to be passed.

MDP’s efforts to establish secret voting come prior to the voting on the no-confidence motion filed by the party against the President.

It is not yet known if the Parliament Secretariat has accepted Rasheed’s amendment.