Abdul Raheem says allowing counter-petitions expands public input to parliament

The change to Parliament’s rules of procedure, which now allows a petition to be filed against a petition already submitted, is intended to give the public as much opportunity as possible, says PNC MP Abdul Raheem Abdulla.

During Sunday’s debate on the petition calling for the withdrawal of the bill that would allow the government to take over land under council jurisdiction, MDP MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem said the amendment enables more people to submit multiple petitions on the same issue.

“We are looking to increase the opportunities given to the people. Being the People’s Majlis, the Parliament is trying to give as many opportunities as possible,” Abdul Raheem said.

The rules of procedure were amended last Tuesday to allow the filing of opposing petitions. Previously, the rules stated that a petition could not call for an action already requested in an earlier petition submitted to Parliament.

The motion to remove that restriction was proposed by Funadhoo MP Mohamed Mamdhooh and passed with 56 votes in favour and nine against.

The Petition Committee had earlier decided to place on the agenda a petition calling for the withdrawal of the bill that would give the government the power to take over land under council control. Supporters of the ruling PNC have also submitted a petition calling for the bill to be passed.

Both petitions will be debated and voted on at Sunday’s sitting.