JP forms committee to review Nasheed’s proposals

Jumhoory Party (JP) has formed an internal committee to review the proposals put forth by Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP), Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed who is working for the upcoming presidential election through a separate political movement within his party that has decided to endorse JP’s presidential candidate Qasim Ibrahim.

Nasheed, following his loss to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in MDP’s presidential primary, has begun leading a separate political movement within the party, ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’, which has refused to back President Solih in his bid for a second term,

He has put forth multiple proposals to JP and its presidential candidate Qasim through ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’ which is presently engaged in discussions with the party including holding a constitutional referendum to change the governance system of the Maldives to a parliamentary system.

Commenting on these proposals – JP’s Spokesperson Ali Solih told Sun that no immediate decisions will be taken regarding them. He added that as the proposals will be carefully considered and reviewed as they were put forth for discussion purposes.

“We have received these proposals. A special committee for the purpose has now been formed. Work is proceeding on our side through a three-member committee,” he said.

The three members committee includes JP’s deputy leader Ameen Ibrahim, advisor to JP’s leader and former parliamentarian Riyaz Rasheed and Kendhoo MP Ali Hussain.

Ali Solih said further information on the matter will be disclosed once the committee reaches a decision.

Nasheed’s proposals included holding a constitutional referendum between the period of winning the election and the oath-taking of the president-elect.

It was noted that amendments should be brought to the law in order to slate a constitutional referendum for the aforesaid period.

Further proposals by Nasheed include:

• Election of a president for a term of five years through a secret parliamentary vote
• Vesting the president with the power to dissolve the parliament under circumstances stipulated by the law
• Creation of the post of a prime minister in the cabinet
• Election of a prime minister through a parliamentary vote
• Vesting the power to dismiss the prime minister with the president and the parliament subject to a majority vote
• Vesting the prime minister with the power to create political posts
• Vesting the power with the prime minister to appoint individuals for political posts under the instructions of the president
• Appointing the prime minister to represent the government in the parliament

Nasheed also put forth proposals regarding the structure of the parliament and the cabinet. In this regard, the cabinet will be chosen from the parliament; a characteristic of a parliamentary governance system.

However, Nasheed states there should be the discretion to include ministers that are appointed by the president in the cabinet which is subject to a 40 percent of the cabinet limit.

He also proposed to include the number of total parliamentarians in the People’s Majlis in the law, as well as to elect MPs through a preferential voting method.

Should these proposals by Nasheed be accepted – it will pave way for Nasheed to become the prime minister once Qasim is elected president. With this, although Qasim will serve as the head of state, Nasheed will ultimately be responsible for all policy-making and decisions.

Although these proposals have been put forth – Qasim has previously spoken against a parliamentary governance system in the Maldives.