Parliament has approved two bills to amend the laws to give the President the power to appoint the President and Vice-President of the Elections Commission (EC) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
The bills were passed with 69 votes in favour and 10 votes against.
The Amendment Bill to the EC Act moved by Kelaa MP Abdulla Shareef and the Amendment Bill to the ACC Act moved by Felidhoo MP Adam Zahir were approved without any changes during the committee stage.
The changes proposed by the government would allow President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to influence the two most important independent institutions in the Maldives.
At present, both the Presidents and Vice-Presidents of the two commissions are appointed through a vote among the members. The President and Parliament shall be notified of the decision within 48 hours.
The proposed changes will give the President the power to appoint the President and Vice-President from among the members of the Commissions. The names of the appointees must be submitted to the Parliament for approval.
With the amendment of these laws, President Muizzu will handpick people to manage the commissions and set the agenda for the meetings.
