Parliament decision is against the Constitution: JP

Jumhooree Party (JP) has said that the decision by the parliament today, to hand over presidential powers to the Speaker of Parliament in the event that a president is not elected by 11 November, is against the Constitution and therefore does not need to be implemented.

Presidential candidate of JP, Maamigili MP Gasim Ibrahim made this remark while speaking at a press conference at Kunooz today.

“The decision by the parliament today need not be implemented, or even should not be implemented. That decision was actually advice given to President Waheed in relation to a letter sent by President Waheed to the Speaker of Parliament. In the letter, the president requested for parliament’s advice on the legal issues that would arise in the event that a president is not election by 11 November,” he said.

He said that State institutions do not need to follow this decision as it is against the Constitution.

Gasim said that the Constitution must be amended if presidential powers are to be transferred to the Speaker of the Parliament in the event that a president is not election by 11 November.

He said that the Supreme Court has provided the procedure to be followed if a president is not elected by 11 November.

Speaking at the press conference, Vice President of JP, Gemanafushi MP Ilham Ahmed accused the parliament of trying to gain control over all State powers, such as the powers of the president, investigative bodies, and the judicial sector.

Ilham said that the purpose of today’s decision, which was facilitated following collaborative efforts by Elections Commission and Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), is to further delay the election, and to hand over presidential powers to Speaker of Parliament Abdulla Shahid.