National Movement to submit petition to Parliament against secret voting

The Maldivian Citizens’ National Movement has commenced preparation of a petition against establishing secret voting on no-confidence motions against the President.

The Parliament will vote tomorrow on whether to establish secret voting for no-confidence motions against the President.

The National Movement said that collection of signatures for the petition will commence at 4:00pm today at Artificial Beach.

Senior member of National Movement Sabah Rasheed told Sun Online that voting by MPs, who are elected to Parliament by the people, should be conducted openly.

He said that the issue of establishing secret voting receives support and funds from GMR, and that it is part of the company’s efforts to influence politics in the Maldives.

Sabah informed that a mass protest organised by the National Movement will be held at Artificial Beach from 9:00pm onwards tonight at Artificial Beach. He said that special activities are planned for this gathering.

Minister of State for Tourism and member of National Movement Steering Committee Ahmed Shameem said while speaking at a rally last Friday night, that their efforts to free the airport have been successful, and that the next step would be to work towards getting the Parliament on the right track.

President of Adhaalath Party Sheikh Imran Abdullah said while speaking at the same rally, that every MP who votes in favour of establishing secret voting is a ‘traitor’ who will be ‘chased’ by those who oppose the idea.