Campaign management

Code of Conduct for Political Parties. Original document available here.

1) A party that has subscribed to this Code will –

(a) respect the right and freedom of all other parties to campaign, and to
disseminate their political ideas and principles without fear;

(b) conduct itself in a manner that respects the rights of other parties, and respects
the rights of voters and other members of the community;

(c) respect the freedom of the press; (d) use its good offices to seek to ensure
reasonable freedom of access by all parties to all potential voters; and

(e) seek to ensure that potential voters wishing to participate in related
political activities have freedom to do so.

 

(2) A party that has subscribed to this Code will not –

(a) harass or obstruct journalists who are engaged in their professional activities;
disrupt, destroy or frustrate the campaign efforts of any other other party;

(b) prevent the distribution of handbills and leaflets, and the display of posters,
of other parties and candidates;

(c) deface or destroy the posters of other parties and candidates;

(d) prevent any other party from holding rallies, meetings, marches or
demonstrations;

(e) seek to prevent any person from attending the political rallies of
another party; or

(f) permit its supporters to do anything prohibited by this section.

 

The election process

(1) A party that has subscribed to this Code will –

(a) co-operate with election officials in order to ensure –

(i) peaceful and orderly polling, and
(ii) complete freedom for voters to exercise their franchise without being subjected to any annoyance or obstructions;

(b) ensure the safety and security of electoral officials before, during and after the polls;

(c) respect and co-operate with official or accredited election observers; and

(d) maintain and aid in maintaining the secrecy of the voting.

(2) A party that has subscribed to this Code will not –

(a) procure votes by forcible occupation of polling stations or through illegal
activities in the polling stations;

(b) interfere unjustifiably or in bad faith with the duties of election officials, disturb the process of casting or
counting of votes; or

(c) falsely assert to voters that their votes will not be secret

Shall not benefit themselves improperly!

Article 75

When carrying out their duties, Members of Majlis shall give priority to national interests and welfare of the people. They shall not use their positions in anyway to benefit anyone with special relations to them or themselves. When representing their Constituency, they shall consider the benefit to the people of the country.

I don't have to pint it out, but you will all know from the above that few or maybe none of the Members of Majlis are following the above Article.

Article 102

The President, Vice President, members of the Cabinet, members of the People’s Majlis, including the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, members of the Judiciary, and members of the Independent Commissions and Independent Offices shall be paid such salary and
allowances as determined by the People’s Majlis.

Article 103

The members of the People’s Majlis and persons appointed or employed by them shall not use their position or any information entrusted to them to improperly benefit themselves or any other person.

It is clear from Article 103, that the Constitution does not give the Majlis Members a freehand to decide their salaries and allowances as they please, they are obliged by the Constitution not to benefit themselves improperly.

However, what can we do, there is a spoiler! We can’t sack them nor go to Court because they took a big fat salary, however we can challenge the law, contending that it contravenes with Article 75 and Article 103.

Bills submitted by Members during 2010

Following are the Bills submitted by Members to Parliament during 2010. How many are related to the immediate needs of the people? It is clear that they don't understand the public’s urgency.

Name	Constituency	Bills	Subject
Moosa Mankiu	Hulhu Henveyru	1	Amendment to Civil Service Act
Mr.Ali Azim	Medhu Hnveyru
Hamid Abdul Gafoor	Henveyru Dhekunu
Eva Abdulla	Galolhu Uthuru
Ahmed Makhloof	Galolhu Dhekunu	1	Amendment to bill 7/2010 Decentralisation Act
Mariya Ahmed Didi	Machchangolhi Uthuru
Mohamed Rasheed	Machchangolhi Dhekunu	1	Plant Quarantine Bill
Imthiyaz Fahmy	Mafannu Uthuru
Abdulla Abdul Raheem	Maafannu Hulhangu	1	Amendment to Law 3/2006 Finance Act
Ibrahim Rasheed	Maafannu Dhekunu
Ahmed Nihan Hussain Maniku	Vili Maafannu
Ahmed Rasheed	Hoarafushi
Ahmed Abdulla	Ihavandhoo
Mohamed Shifaz	Baarashu	1	Control of Animals and Birds imported.
Ahmed Sameer	Dhidhdhoo
Abdulla Mausoom	Kelaa
Mohamed Mujuthaaz	Hanimaadhoo	1	Amendment to bill 7/2010 Decentralisation Act
Mohamed Nasheed	Nolhivaram	1	Medical Insurance bill
Ali Arif	Vaikaradhoo
Abdul Ghafoor Moosa	Kulhudhuffushi Uhturu
Mohamed Nasheed	Kulhudhuffushi Dhekunu	3	National Healthcare Bill, Amendment to law 5/2009 Road Transport Actl, Tenancy Bill
Mohamed Hussain	Ka'nditheemu
Ali Riza	Milandhoo
Hussain Waheed	Komandoo
Ali Saleem	Funadhoo	1	Administrative Capital of Atoll Bill
Ahmed Easa	Ke'ndhi Kulhudhoo	2	Amd Law 2/2008 Employment Act (2)
Mohamed Thariq	Manadhoo	2	National Archives Bill, Copyrights Bill
Ali Mohamed	Velidhoo
Mohamed Nashiz	Alifushi
Afrashim Ali	U'ngoofaaru	1	Amendment to Law 6/94 - Dheenee ebbaivanthakamuge Qanoon
Mohamed Zubair	Dhuvaafaru
Hamdhoon Hameed	I'nguraidhoo
Visam Ali	Maduvvari	1	Thalasemia Control Bill
Nazim Rashaad	Thulhaadhoo
Ahmed Saleem	Eydhafushi
Ahmed Thasmeen Ali	Kendhoo
Ibrahim Mohamed Salih	Hinnavaru
Ahmed Mohamed	Naifaru
Ahmed Mossa	Kurendhoo
Ismail Abdul Hameed	Kaashidhoo
Rozaina Adam	Thulusdhoo	2	Soft Loans for women bill , Domestic Violence Control Bill
Ibrahim Riza	Guraidhoo
Hussain Mohamed	Mathiveri
Ali Waheed	Thoddu
Qasim Ibrahim	Maamigili
Ruqiyya Mohamed	Mahibadhoo
Yoosuf Naeem	Felidhoo
Abdulla Shahid	Keyodhoo
Ahmed Nazim	Dhiggaru
Abdulla Yameen Abdul Qayyoom	Mulaku
Ahmed Hamza	Bileiydhdhoo
Abdul Muhsin Hussain	Nilandhoo		Preschool Bill
Ahmed Siyam Mohamed	Meedhoo	1
Ahmed Amir	Kudahuvadhoo	1	1st Amendement to Constitution
Riyaz Rasheed	Vilifushi	5	Privilages Bill , Private Security Bill, Demonstrations Bill, Amnd Company Act, Public Enterprise Comission Bill
Mohamed Musthafa	Thimarafushi
Moosa Zameeru	Ki'nbidhoo
Ahmed Rasheed Ibrahim	Isdhoo
Yoosuf Abdul Ghafoor	Gamu
Abdul Raheem Abdulla	Fonadhoo	3	Amendment to Law13/2010 Judges, Court Orders Bill, Amnd Civil Service Act
Abdul Azeez Jamal Aboobakuru	Maashu	6	Protection of Dhvehi LanguageBill , National Education Bill, Amnd Immigration Act, Procurement Bill, Bill on Cheques, Loans Bill
Mohamed Ramiz	Vili'ngili
Mohamed Riyaz	Dhaandhoo
Ilham Ahmed	Gemanafushi
Mohamed Qasam	Thinadhoo
Mohamed Nizam	Madaveli
Ibrahim Muththalib	FaresMaathodaa	3	Amendment to Police Law 5/2008, Amd Law 2/2008 Employment Act, Amnd Prohibited Items Act
Zahir Adam	Gadhdhoo
Mohamed Rafeeq Hassan	Fuah Mulaku Uthuru
Shifaq Mufeed	Fuah Mulaku Medhu
Mohamed Maseeh	Fuah Mulaku Medhu
Ilyas Labeeb	Hulhumeedhoo	1	Amendment to Law13/2010 Judges Act
Alhan Fahmy	Feydhoo
Hassan Adil	Maradhoo
Mohamed Aslam	Hithadhoo Uthuru
Mohamed Rasheed	Hithadhoo Medhu	1	Amendment to bill 7/2010 Decentralisation Act
Hassan Latheef	Hithadhoo Dhekunu	3	Amendment to bill 7/2010 Decentralisation Act (2), Amendment to laws (recalled)

Attendance Report of MPs for 2010

Majlis worked 300 hrs 2 min in 2010 for Rf 57,750,000/-  (salaries and allowances only)

Thats is Rf 2,500/- per hour !

Only 7 Members attended all sittings.

Ahmed Shiyam Mohamed of Meedhoo Consituency attended the least number of sittings (58) followed by Zahir Adam Gadhdhoo (67), Mohamed Ramiz Vili’ngili 72, Abdulla Yaamee Maduvvari (73) tied with Hassan Adil Maradhoo also at (73)

Name	Constituency	Sittings	Attended	Absent	On Leave	Med Leave	Off Trip
Moosa Mankiu	Hulhu Henveyru	95	80	7	8
Mr.Ali Azim	Medhu Hnveyru	95	79	10	6
Hamid Abdul Gafoor	Henveyru Dhekunu	95	91	4
Eva Abdulla	Galolhu Uthuru	95	90		2		3
Ahmed Makhloof	Galolhu Dhekunu	95	88		7
Mariya Ahmed Didi	Machchangolhi Uthuru	95	87	3	4	1
Mohamed Rasheed	Machchangolhi Dhekunu	95	95
Imthiyaz Fahmy	Mafannu Uthuru	95	88			7
Abdulla Abdul Raheem	Maafannu Hulhangu	95	83	10	1		1
Ibrahim Rasheed	Maafannu Dhekunu	95	93		1		1
Ahmed Nihan Hussain Maniku	Vili Maafannu	95	88		7
Ahmed Rasheed	Hoarafushi	95	80	11	4
Ahmed Abdulla	Ihavandhoo	95	88	4			3
Mohamed Shifaz	Baarashu	95	87		8
Ahmed Sameer	Dhidhdhoo	95	95
Abdulla Mausoom	Kelaa	95	95
Mohamed Mujuthaaz	Hanimaadhoo	95	92	3
Mohamed Nasheed	Nolhivaram	95	88	4	1	2
Ali Arif	Vaikaradhoo	95	90	2	1	2
Abdul Ghafoor Moosa	Kulhudhuffushi Uhturu	95	92			3
Mohamed Nasheed	Kulhudhuffushi Dhekunu	95	93	2
Mohamed Hussain	Ka'nditheemu	95	78	2	2	13
Ali Riza	Milandhoo	95	88		4	3
Hussain Waheed	Komandoo	95	80	10	5
Ali Saleem	Funadhoo	95	87	5	3
Ahmed Easa	Ke'ndhi Kulhudhoo	95	83	7		5
Mohamed Thariq	Manadhoo	95	78		2	12	3
Ali Mohamed	Velidhoo	95	81	1	2	11
Mohamed Nashiz	Alifushi	95	81	8	6
Afrashim Ali	U'ngoofaaru	95	92	2	1
Mohamed Zubair	Dhuvaafaru	95	80	8	4	2	1
Hamdhoon Hameed	I'nguraidhoo	95	89	5	1
Visam Ali	Maduvvari	95	90	2			3
Nazim Rashaad	Thulhaadhoo	95	85	2	1	7
Ahmed Saleem	Eydhafushi	95	80	14	1
Ahmed Thasmeen Ali	Kendhoo	95	93	2
Ibrahim Mohamed Salih	Hinnavaru	95	90	2		3
Ahmed Mohamed	Naifaru	95	92	1	2
Ahmed Mossa	Kurendhoo	95	94		1
Ismail Abdul Hameed	Kaashidhoo	95	85	9	1
Rozaina Adam	Thulusdhoo	95	90	2	3
Ibrahim Riza	Guraidhoo	95	90	2	3
Hussain Mohamed	Mathiveri	95	89	6
Ali Waheed	Thoddu	95	88	3			4
Qasim Ibrahim	Maamigili	95	88	3	1	3
Ruqiyya Mohamed	Mahibadhoo	95	92		3
Yoosuf Naeem	Felidhoo	95	81	13			1
Abdulla Shahid	Keyodhoo	95	92				3
Ahmed Nazim	Dhiggaru	95	80	4	1	7	3
Abdulla Yameen Abdul Qayyoom	Mulaku	95	73	19		3
Ahmed Hamza	Bileiydhdhoo	95	87	3	1	4
Abdul Muhsin Hussain	Nilandhoo	95	90	2	3
Ahmed Siyam Mohamed	Meedhoo	95	58	22		15
Ahmed Amir	Kudahuvadhoo	95	95
Riyaz Rasheed	Vilifushi	95	94	1
Mohamed Musthafa	Thimarafushi	95	91			4
Moosa Zameeru	Ki'nbidhoo	95	81	6	6	1	1
Ahmed Rasheed Ibrahim	Isdhoo	95	90	5
Yoosuf Abdul Ghafoor	Gamu	95	94		1
Abdul Raheem Abdulla	Fonadhoo	95	93	2
Abdul Azeez Jamal Aboobakuru	Maashu	95	91	1			3
Mohamed Ramiz	Vili'ngili	95	72	14	9
Mohamed Riyaz	Dhaandhoo	95	94		1
Ilham Ahmed	Gemanafushi	95	87	5	3
Mohamed Qasam	Thinadhoo	95	92	1	2
Mohamed Nizam	Madaveli	95	92	1	2
Ibrahim Muththalib	FaresMaathodaa	95	94			1
Zahir Adam	Gadhdhoo	95	67	7	16	5
Mohamed Rafeeq Hassan	Fuah Mulaku Uthuru	95	95
Shifaq Mufeed	Fuah Mulaku Medhu	95	85	3	3	4
Mohamed Maseeh	Fuah Mulaku Medhu	95	95
Ilyas Labeeb	Hulhumeedhoo	95	93		2
Alhan Fahmy	Feydhoo	95	83	9			3
Hassan Adil	Maradhoo	95	73	21	1
Mohamed Aslam	Hithadhoo Uthuru	95	79	8	5		3
Mohamed Rasheed	Hithadhoo Medhu	95	83	3	1	7	1
Hassan Latheef	Hithadhoo Dhekunu	95	95
				1st  Session	2nd Session	3rd  Session	Total
				28 Sittings	36 Sittings	31 Sittings	95 sessions
				109hrs 39m	97hrs 23m	93 hrs	300hrs 2m

Raiyyithunge Majilis ambura Raiyyithunnah

Sat, Jan 8. MCSE seminar room. Male. 8.30 pm

Please sms, twitter, put on your facebook status. Get involved!

Suggested agenda:
8.45-9.00: Presentation on the Salary and Allowance Structure under Article 102: Understanding the salaries and allowances of the 6 groups of people, the proposed increases and the social and economical implications of it for the citizens
9.00-9.15: Presentation on the MP Privilege Bill: Understanding the proposed changes and the economical and social implications of it for the citizens.
9.15-10.30: Expressing individual views. (maximum 5 minutes per person)
10.30-11.00: Suggestions on the way forward to act in relation to the two documents.

For more details visit Facebook Group

The Privileges Bill of Maldives Parliament – One of a kind.

 

Introduced by Vilifushi MP Riyaz Rasheed, the Privileges Bill was passed with 44 votes in the last sitting of the Majlis. If President Nasheed signs the Bill, it will become Law. There has been a huge public outcry on the excesses the members have taken for themselves. For the first time since the Reform Movement a bi partisan public demonstration was held in front of the Parliament. Voting details are in my earlier post.

There are a number of points in this bill which would cause alarm among the public. I will try to go through some of the points which I have noted so far. The actual bill can be viewed here.

IS THIS BILL UNCONSTITUTIONAL?

1 - Article 27 guarantees us Freedom of Expression and Article 28 guarantees us Freedom of the press. Article 16-a, clearly gives guidelines on how these rights can be limited and where any law limits these freedoms, Article 16 (c) gives guidelines for a court whether such limitations are within Article 16 (a) and (b) . Interestingly, the onus to prove that it is within the Constitution is on the person who limited such freedom, in this case the Legislative Authority (People’s Majlis).

PERKS.

The Salaries and Allowances of Members of Parliament shall be decided by the People’s Majlis. (There is no guideline, no limit nor index against any other arm of the State)

Any Member of Parliament who has served for one term (5years) is entitles to :

1- 30% of Salary (for 2 terms 45% and 3 terms 60%) of a Member of Parliament. This is written such that any future increase of MPs wages would automatically give ex members also a raise. In almost every other country it is a requirement to serve 2 terms before being entitled to a pension, and the pension is paid when the member reaches the age of Civil Service retirement age of the country. In short, as per the current bill all you need is to get elected, and whether you attend the sittings or not, whether not a single bill is submitted, a MP is entitled from the State for a minimum of Rf 12,500/- for life.

2- A Medical Insurance.

3- An Official Passport

4- A Title of State Honorary and to be addressed as MP for the Constituency served.

All Members are entitled to a duty free car every 5 years.

All Members are to be provided with a Diplomatic passport and VIP Lounge facilities at all airports in Maldives and abroad where available.

All Members, spouses and children under 18 years are to be provided Medical Insurance applicable in SAARC and ASEAN Countries.

Land Transportation for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker within Maldives shall be arranged by the State. (This need not be Official Majlis work, as the next line clearly shows). In addition to this the State shall arrange all forms of transportation within Maldives and abroad when they are of official work.

ARE THEY THINKING OF GOING ON A CRIME SPREE??

While almost every section of this law has a related punishment along with the threat of losing the person’s job, there is no consequence for not declaring Members assets.

MPs are exempted from Court Summons if they may not be able to attend a sitting. (It does not matter whether he attends the sitting or not).

A Member of Parliament cannot be arrested even for murder while inside the Majlis Chambers, or on the way or returning back to/from the Majlis.

No Court Summon can be handed over to a MP while within the Parliament Compound.

If a Member of Parliament is to be searched, the person doing so should have proof beyond doubt (not reasonable doubt), of a crime. Even in a Court of Law the requirement is beyond reasonable doubt.

(20-b) Even if a Member of Parliament is serving a sentence of a Civil or Criminal Court, the authority who enforces the sentence is required to ensure that the MP is able to attend the sittings of the Parliament and Committee Meetings.

VOTING DETAILS FOR PRIVILEGES BILL

Technorati Tags: Maldives,Majlis,Salary,Privilege

VOTED AGAINST
Baarashu Dhaairaa	Mohamed Shifaz	N
Bilaidhoo Dhaairaa	Ahmed Hamza	N
Dhaandhoo Dhaairaa	Mohamed Riyaz	N
Dhidhdhoo Dhaairaa	Ahmed Sameer	N
Eydhafushi Dhaairaa	Ahmed Saleem	N
Fuvahmulaku Medhu Dhaairaa	Shifaq Mufeed	N
Gadhoo Dhaairaa	Zahir Adam	N
Galolhu Uthuru Dhaairaa	Eva Abdulla	N
Henveyru Dhekunu Dhaairaa	Hamid Abdul Gafoor	N
hithadhoo medhu dhaaira	Mohamed Rasheed	N
Hithadhoo Uthuru Dhaairaa	Mohamed Aslam	N
Hoarafushi Dhaairaa	Ahmed Rasheed	N
Hulhuhenveyru Dhaairaa	Moosa Manik	N
Hulhumeedhoo Dhaairaa	Illyas Labeeb	N
Kendhikulhudhoo Dhaairaa	Ahmed Easa	N
Kulhudhuhfushi Uthuru Dhaairaa	Abdul Gafoor Mooosa	N
Kurendhoo Dhaairaa	Ahmed Moosa	N
Machangolhi Uthuru Dhaairaa	Mariya Ahmed Didi	N
Madaveli Dhaairaa	Mohamed Nazim	N
Nolhivaram Dhaairaa	Mohamed Nasheed	N
Thulhaadhoo Dhaairaa	Nazim Rashaad	N
ABSTAINED
Felidhoo Dhaairaa	Yoosuf Naeem	A
Hinnavaru Dhaairaa	Ibrahim Mohamed Solih	A
Ihavandhoo Dhaairaa	Ahmed Abdulla	A
Kulhudhuhfushi Dekunu Dhaairaa	Mohmed Nasheed	A
Maafannu Uthuru Dhaairaa	Imthiyaz Fahmy	A
Maafanu Dhekunu Dhaairaa	Ibrahim Rasheed	A
Mahibadhoo Dhaairaa	Ruggiyya Mohamed	A
Manadhoo Dhaairaa	Mohamed Thoriq	A
Milandhoo Dhaairaa	Ali Riza	A
Thinadhoo Dhaairaa	Mohamed Gasam	A
Inguraidhoo Dhaairaa	Hamdhoon Abdulla Hameed	NVT
VOTED FOR THE BILL
Alifushi Dhaairaa	Mohamed Nashiz	Y
Dhuvaafaru Dhaairaa	Mohamed Zubair	Y
Dihgaru Dhaairaa	Ahmed Nazim	Y
Faresmaadhodaa Dhaairaa	Ibrahim Muthalib	y
Feydhoo Dhaairaa	Alhaan Fahmy	Y
Fonadhoo Dhaairaa	Abdul Raheem Abdulla	Y
Funadhoo Dhaairaa	Ali Saleem	Y
Fuvahmulaku Dhekunu Dhaairaa	Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed	Y
Fuvahmulaku Uthuru Dhaairaa	Mohamed Rafeeq Hassan	Y
Galolhu Dhekunu Dhaairaa	Ahmed Mahloof	Y
Gamu Dhaairaa	Yoosuf Abdul Gafoor	Y
Gemanafushi Dhaairaa	Ilham Ahmed	Y
Guraidhoo Dhaairaa	Ibrahim Riza	Y
Hanimaadhoo Dhaairaa	Mohamed Mujthaz	Y
Hithadhoo Dhekunu Dhaairaa	Hassan Latheef	Y
Isdhoo Dhaairaa	Ahmed Rasheed Ibrahim	Y
Kaashidhoo Dhaairaa	Ismail Abdul Hameed	Y
Kanditheemu Dhaairaa	Mohamed Hussain	Y
Kelaa Dhaairaa	Abdulla Mausoom	Y
Kendhoo Dhaairaa	Ahmed Thasmeen Ali	Y
Kinbidhoo Dhaairaa	Moosa Zameer	Y
Komandoo Dhaairaa	Hussain Waheed	Y
Kudhahuvadhoo Dhaairaa	Ahmed Amir	Y
Maafannu Hulhangu Dhaairaa	Abdulla Abdulraheem	Y
Maamigili Dhaairaa	Qasim Ibrahim	Y
Maavashu Dhaairaa	Abdul Azeez Jamaal AbuBakuru	Y
Machangolhi Dhekunu Dhaairaa	Mohamed Rasheed	Y
Maduhvari Dhaairaa	Visam Ali	Y
Maradhoo Dhaairaa	Hassan Adhil	Y
Mathiveri Dhaairaa	Hussain Mohamed	Y
Medhuhenveyru Dhaairaa	Ali Azim	Y
Meedhoo Dhaairaa	Ahmed Siyam Mohamed	Y
Mulaku Dhaairaa	Abdulla Yaamin	Y
Naifaru Dhaairaa	Ahmed Mohamed	Y
Nilandhoo Dhaairaa	Abdul Muhsin Hameed	Y
Thimarafushi Dhaairaa	Mohamed Musthafa	Y
Thoddoo Dhaairaa	Ali Waheed	Y
Thulusdhoo Dhaairaa	Rozaina Adam	Y
Ungoofaaru Dhaairaa	Afrashim Ali	Y
Vaikaradhoo Dhaairaa	Ali Arif	Y
Velidhoo Dhaairaa	Ali Mohamed	Y
Villigili Dhaairaa	Mohamed Ramiz	Y
Villimaafanu Dhaairaa	Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik	Y
Vilufushi Dhaairaa	Riyaz Rasheed	Y