Parliament passes amendment to Civil Service Act

The Bill of Amendment to the Civil Service Act, which disallows participation by civil servants in political activities during official hours, has been passed by the parliament.

The bill, submitted on behalf of the government by Maduvvari MP Mohamed Ameeth Ahmed Manik, was passed with 40 votes in favour. One MP abstained.

The bill states that civil servants can participate in political activities, but should not misuse their posts to influence political activities, should not participate in political activities during official hours, and should not engage in political bias when providing services as civil servants.

Civil servants are also not allowed to become members of political parties, hold posts within political parties, or create political parties.

The Supreme Court stated in a ruling regarding this amendment, that while it is stated in Article 30 of the Constitution that everyone has the right to participate in political activities, civil servants are deprived of this right because of a clause in the Civil Service Act.