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Maldivian Heroes of Democracy

Dhivehi Observer, 19th July 2004


 
23 MPs walked out of the Parliament and protested demanding the constitution of the Maldives to be upheld

In a historic move of defiance to uphold the constitution of the Country, 23 Member of the Parliament walked out from today's' assembly.

Pro-reformists who are openly advocating pluralistic democracy in the Maldives demanded that the election of the President and Vice-President (as per clause 97 of the Constitution of the Maldives) be conducted according to Clause 133 by a secret ballot. These clauses clearly state that it will be unconstitutional to conduct any election in any other method. However, in total disregard for the constitution of the country, Mr. Abdullah Hameed, the temporary President of today's assembly said "it does not matter, we have traditionally done this by raising hand and that is how we will conduct it today as well". Not only that, as soon as 2 names were nominated, he closed the nomination and order to conduct the election. Presidents' Member Fathulla Jameel nominated Justice Minister Ahmed Zahir and similarly Mr. Ibrahim Hussain Zaki nominated Mr. Gasim Ibrahim, who is an active advocate of reform.
 

Constitution of the Maldives Article - President and Vice-President of the People’s Special Majlis  - Article 97
(1) A President and a Vice-President of the People’s Special Majlis shall be elected from among its members at the first sitting of the said Majlis. Where the office of President or that of Vice-President of the said Majlis becomes vacant prior to the dissolution of the People’s Special Majlis, a new member shall be elected to fill such vacancy.
(2) The Speaker of the People’s Majlis shall preside over the first sitting of the People’s Special Majlis until a President of the People’s Special Majlis is elected pursuant to clause (1) of this Article. Upon election of the President of the People’s Special Majlis, the Speaker of the People’s Majlis shall cease to preside over the sitting.

Constitution of the Maldives Article - Elections and public referendums by secret ballot - Article 133

Voting in elections and public referendums stipulated in the Constitution and the law shall be by secret ballot.
 

Despite repeated pleas by members like Dr. Hussain Rasheed Hassan as well as Dr. Mohamed Munawwaru and Ibrahim Ismail, to conduct the election by secret ballot in accordance with the constitution, the Speaker of the Peoples' Majlis (not the Speaker of the People's Special Majlis) decided that he will not conduct it by a secret ballot. This was a clear sign of how much regard Gayyoom's brothers and his government have for the rule of law. This is clearly an attempt to undermine the constitution of the Maldives as per Article 12.

Constitution of the Maldives: Article 12: High Treason

(1) Any person who, by the threat or use of force or in violation of the Constitution, abrogates or attempts to abrogate the Constitution or attempts to undermine the Constitution or conspires to commit any of the said acts shall be guilty of high treason.

(2) Any person who aids and abets or is an accomplice in the commission of any act mentioned in clause (1) of this Article or any person who has knowledge of the commission of such act and has failed to report the same shall also be guilty of high treason.
 

List of these Honourable Members who walked out today in defiance upholding the constitution of the country will always be remembered as heroes of democracy in the Maldives. Members are receiving enormous amounts of calls and messages congratulating them for this historic move and thanking them for taking such a courageous and peaceful step to protect the rights of the people.

  • Ibrahim Ismail (Male')

  • Ahmed Athif (Male')

  • Ahmed Muizz (Haa Alif)

  • Ahmed Adhil (Haa Dhaal)

  • Ali Faiz (Baa)

  • Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (Lhaviyani)

  • Hussain Ibrahim (Lhaviyani)

  • Ibrahim Shareef (Kaafu)

  • Ali Ibrahim (Alif Alif)

  • Ibrahim Hussain Zaki (Alif Dhaal)

  • Gasim Ibrahim (Alif Dhaal)

  • Ilyas Hussain Ibrahim (Alif Dhaal)

  • Ahmed Shafeeq (Meemu)

  • Abu-Bakur Mohamed (Faafu)

  • Mohamed Shihab (Dhaal)

  • Mohamed Riyaaz (Dhaal)

  • Abdul Latheef Mohamed (Dhaal)

  • Hassan Afeef (Thaa)

  • Dr. Hussain Rasheed (Thaa)

  • Mohamed Naseem (Laamu)

  • Dr. Mohamed Munawwar (Seenu)

  • Ibrahim Shareef (Seenu)

  • Ibrahim Thohir (Seenu)

Our country needs more heroes like these to embark on a path of meaningful development and to create equal opportunity for all.

Let us hope that this is just the first of the many peaceful protests that will ensure that our nation becomes a model for democracy in the world.

Some reports say that more than 3000 people gathered around the area during this protest. Their defiance meant that Gayyoom had to ask the protesting Members of the Parliament to control the public today.

According to eye witnesses, the crowd dispersed as quickly as they were requested to go home by the respected Parliament members. This was a truly peaceful protest and will make Gayyoom think hard about the resolve of the Maldivian people to bring about meaningful change to the country. People like Hameed are nothing but enemies of our nation and his behaviour today is the perfect example to that.

 

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