The President welcomes the removal of the gender bar in seeking presidential office under the new Constitution and the
amendment to provide equal opportunities for presidential hopefuls of all political parties
Male', January 15th, 2008 (Tuesday) - The President has welcomed two important developments at today's session of the People's Special Majlis to finalise
the Chapter on the President of the Republic.
First, members voted overwhelmingly to defeat an amendment proposed by MDP MP Hussain Ibrahim to maintain the gender bar
in seeking presidential office under the new Constitution. As early as June 2004, the President had proposed to the
Special Majlis the removal of gender bias in seeking presidential office.
The second key development was the revision, through a successful amendment proposed by a DRP MP, of certain Articles
that clearly discriminated against a particular individual seeking presidential office, and thereby facilitating
candidates of all registered political parties to seek presidential office in the upcoming multiparty presidential
election.
The President highlighted that the two developments were "major steps" in realising the "aspirations of the people to
usher in a modern liberal democracy in the Maldives". While congratulating the MPs who defeated the amendment on keeping
the gender bar and those who voted in favour of the amendment facilitating equal opportunities for presidential hopefuls
of all parties, the President noted that the actions of some opposition elements in the aftermath of the session were
regrettable.
Commenting on today's developments, the Presidential Spokesperson Mr. Mohamed Hussain Shareef said:
"The orchestrated attempts to misinform the people and international stakeholders of the outcome of today's developments
bring into serious question the commitment of these people to democratic values. These actions were taken in desperation
by the enemies of democracy. The people have a right to know the truth, and the Government will fulfil its
responsibility to brief all stakeholders on the progress attained in the Special Majlis."
"Of particular satisfaction was the assurance that the current gender bar would be removed, in accordance to the
President's 31-point proposal on constitution amendment of 2004."
"The DRP parliamentary group must be congratulated on its initiative to overturn the discriminatory elements in the
draft on the Chapter on the President of the Republic that were designed to sabotage the presidential election bid of a
particular candidate.
The Government is firmly committed to fulfilling its promise of a free and fair presidential election. However, it must
be noted that the shameful actions of certain opposition elements to remove President Gayoom from the race could have
seriously jeopardized the march towards democracy."
ENDS