New bill submitted banning candidates above 65 years from council elections

A new bill has been submitted to People’s Majlis which bans candidates above the age of 65 years from contending in local council elections.

The bill was submitted by Baarah MP, Ibrahim Shujau.

During the first reading, MP Shujau said that the constitutional amendment banning candidates above 65 years of age from contending presidential elections was designed to provide more opportunities for the youth to run the country.

He said that he did not believe those above the age of 65 years were fully capable of taking on the responsibility such positions dictate, and said that those above the age of 65 years were given benefits by the State.

During the preliminary debate on the bill which is under way in this Wednesday’s Majlis sitting, Deputy Leader of Parliamentary Group of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) – the same party that MP Shujau is a member of – said that he personally did not agree with the bill, but would honor any whip issued by PPM PG.

Biladhdhoo MP Ahmed Mubee, another member of PPM, also expressed his disapproval over the bill, and the timing of the bill.

PPM member, Maduvvari MP Mohamed Ameeth said that if there was a ban on candidates above the age of 65 years from contending local council elections, the same ban should be applied to members of People’s Majlis as well.

Meanwhile, PPM member, Kanditheem MP Mohamed Hussain expressed support for the bill. And said that constraints can be placed on basic rights if it was for the greater good.

The amendment to the Constitution banning candidates above 65 years of age from contending for presidency, which has been passed by People’s Majlis and ratified by President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom was also dogged with controversy.