Maldives Parliament Amends Rules to Require Vote Before Debate on Resolutions

In a move that has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition, the Maldivian Parliament has amended its standing orders to require a vote on whether to accept a resolution before any debate can take place. The amendment to Article 191 of the Parliament's rules was passed on Tuesday with the majority support of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC). The amendment was proposed by Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, the MP for Thulusdhoo constituency. Under the new rule, once a resolution is submitted, the first step is a vote on whether to accept it. If the majority does not vote in favour, the resolution is immediately invalidated without any debate. Additionally, a resolution cannot be submitted as a topic for future debates in the chamber. Previously, the rules allowed members to debate a resolution before a vote was taken on its acceptance. The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) expressed concern that the change will diminish the opportunities available to minority parties in the parliament. PNC Parliamentary Group Leader and Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah had earlier stated that the change would prevent the MDP from tabling resolutions in the future. The amendment was approved by a vote of 56 members of the parliament.