Parliament rejects government request to approve transfer of three government branches to Defence Ministry

Parliament has rejected the government’s request to approve the transfer of Department of Immigration and Emigration, the National Disaster Management Centre and the Aviation Security Command under Ministry of Defence and National Security.

Parliament voted on the motion to reject the request for approval today, which received 27 votes in favour, 23 votes against and one abstention.

Article 116 of the Constitution requires the President to submit all information relating to the ministries and their areas of jurisdiction to the parliament for approval.

Parliament’s decision to reject President Waheed’s request for approval disallows the President to administer the branches under the Ministry of Defence.

The move to reject the motion was proposed to the parliament floor today by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) parliamentary group member and Kulhudhuffushi-south MP Mohamed Rasheed and seconded by Madaveli MP Mohamed Nazim.

In turn, Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) Parliamentary Group Leader Abdulla Mausoom declared support to approve the motion, which was seconded by Vilufushi MP Riyaz Rasheed. But the parliament did not go to vote for the second motion to approve, as the first motion had already received majority vote.