No vote called for due to disruptions

Tuesday, April 15th, 2008

At the special Majlis session held yesterday voting on the Transitional Chapter could not be continued due to disagreements between members and eventual taking of points of orders by members.

The 267 session of the Special Majlis held yesterday afternoon commenced with a point of order being taken. MP for Male’ Ibrahim Ismail by taking a point of order highlighted the proposal no 32 which could not be put to vote at the last session of the Majlis due to member disagreements. Ibra asked the Chair for a ruling on the issue as he in the previous session of the Majlis had requested for it. Ibra speaking in the same lines as in the previous session said that proposal 32 cannot be put to vote as Majlis had already passed proposal number 20. Ibra said proposal number 32 is contradicting what is stated in the proposal number 20 and as such there is simply no reason why proposal 32 should be put to vote.

MP for Laamu Atoll Ricco Mossa Manik by taking a point of order stated that proposal 32 cannot be put to vote as it contradicts proposal 20 which is already endorsed. He further said as proposal 20 calls for the annulment of the current constitution, there shall be no legally empowered President to appoint a cabinet as called for clause (b) of the proposal 32.

Opposition MPs yesterday too had voiced their disagreements over the wordings of clause (b) of proposal 32 submitted by MP for Mulak Atoll and supported by President’s Member Mohamed Anil. Clause (b) of proposal 32 states that “until such time as presidential elections are held and President is elected and assumes office under this constitution, the cabinet to be appointed shall be the cabinet in force when this constitution came in to force. In this regard during the transitional stage clause (d) of article 4 of chapter on People’s Majlis of this constitution and clause (c) of article one of the Chapter on the Cabinet of this constitution will not be acted up on”.

Although opposition MPs argued that the proposal 32 cannot be put to vote DRP members claimed that it can be done and that there is absolutely no legal barrier that would prevent the Chair from doing it. They further claimed that Majlis endorsed proposal number 20 and proposal number 32 does not contradict each other.

Legal Reform Minister Mohamed Nasheed by taking a point of order claimed that when a new constitution comes in to force the old constitution will cease to exist and that was the main reason for the transitional arrangement. Minister repeated his claim that proposal 32 can be put to vote.

MP for Ga Atoll Adnan Haleem by taking a point of order said that the reason for the ongoing constitutional reform was to enable free and fair multiparty elections and that when certain candidates competing in the presidential race go to the atolls with armed guards and on a luxury yacht while other candidates have to suffice with a small Bokkura indicates the biased nature of election. He said when specific group of people pass or fail proposals to suit their policies without any regard to the interests of the people of this country it shows disregard to the spirit of constitutional reform.

The Chair decided to keep the proposal 32 pending to be decided on later and moved on to proposal 35. However due to disruptions and shouting by opposition members voting was not called for. The Chair then attempted not allow taking of points of orders and proceed with voting. However this failed as well due to disruption by the opposition members. As such the Chair then allowed points of orders to be raised.

As the opposition initiated disruptions were effectively blocking the Majlis from proceeding any further, Minister Nasheed attempted to bring some order to the Majlis by talking to some members. In this regard he was seen talking to Ibra for a long time. Even though the Chair, Speaker Qasim repeatedly called for order and made several requests to continue with work on hand , he was ignored and members kept the disruptions going.

Members took several points of orders before and after break time. The Chair, Speaker Qasim then kept aside those proposals which are causing the disagreements and started calling for votes on proposals submitted by Ibra. Members however started taking points of orders and said even Ibra’s proposals contain contradictory proposals.

Majlis was adjourned amidst severe disruptions with no proposal being put to vote. Before the session to a close Speaker Qasim announced that the next session of the Special Majlis would be held on 20 April.

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