Majlis amends rules: motions must pass vote before debate

The People's Majlis has amended its standing orders so that a motion submitted to parliament must be put to a vote and passed before any debate can be held on it. The amendment to Article 191 of the Majlis Standing Orders was proposed by Abdulhannaan Abubakuru, an independent member working with the PNC. It was passed with the support of 56 members, while 11 voted against. Under the amended rule, a vote on whether to accept a motion will be taken before the initial debate on the motion begins. If the motion fails the vote, it will be nullified. The General Committee's report on the amendment had recommended it, but Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu), the member for the Galolhu North constituency, submitted a further amendment to delete the clause. PNC members voted against his proposal. Previously, under the standing orders, a vote on whether to accept a motion was taken only after debate on the motion had concluded. While every member is entitled under the standing orders to submit motions to bring issues to the attention of parliament, today's change is expected to narrow the opportunity for motions to be submitted and debated.