Call for early election cannot be made until investigation concludes: Ministers

Two members of the cabinet has said yesterday that the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) had placed the Maldives on its formal agenda in violation of the group's regulations and that it cannot call for early polls before the National Enquiry Commission (NEC) completes its investigation. At a press conference held at the President’s Office Gender Minister Fathmath Dhiyana Saeed said that the CMAG has set the topic of the current political situation of the Maldives on their agenda for discussion in violation of the Milbrook Action Plan, Realising Milbrook and the Enhanced Mandate stated in its directive.

CMAG’s mandate states that the group can only investigate the continuous violation of the group’s fundamental political values and the unconstitutional overthrow of a government and so the group can investigate the obstruction of the Judiciary, parliament and violation of the constitution.

However Dhiyana said that the CMAG can only set the topic on their agenda once all relative investigations are concluded and currently no investigation had taken place on the events of February 7, before or after.

“The CMAG’s mandate cannot be activated by someone’s claims. That is what we believe. The Maldives is complying with all investigations and so the Maldivian issue has been set on the agenda of the CMAG in violation of their regulations and mandate,” she stressed.

She said that the government has lodged a complaint with the Commonwealth regarding the matter. Dhiyana said that the change in government on February 7 occurred in accordance with the constitution “and so the call for an early election is unacceptable until an investigation proves otherwise.”

Home Minister Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed also voiced the same opinion adding that until an investigation concludes that the government is unconstitutional the government will remain in power.

“There is no reason to go for an election before such a conclusion. First it should be determined if the change of administration was unconstitutional, it is very clear otherwise we don’t need an early election,” he said.

He pointed out that the administration of former President Nasheed had also on several occasions violated the policies of the Commonwealth including obstructing the courts from carrying out their responsibilities and ignoring court orders.
Tweet Bookmark Print Badge the Comments! Give badges to the best comments you see! You will get four badges a day 0 Comments To have full access to the interactive features available in Haveeru Online please register or sign in. or Post a Comment Loading comments... Please wait