President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced plans to introduce an amendment to allow the removal of elected officials through a public vote in the case where the public lose confidence in them. The President made the announcement during an appearance on the Rayyithunnaa Eku podcast on Friday.
Currently, Maldivian law provides no mechanism for the public to remove an elected official before the end of their term. Under the proposed change, an official can be dismissed if two-thirds of the voting population supports their removal.
In an earlier press conference, the President said he would propose to amend the law this year to empower the people to dismiss council members and members of Parliament after they are elected. The government has decided to introduce 30 bills in parliament this year.
Speaking on the podcast, the President said that the people are not truly empowered by the existing laws and regulations. He expressed his desire to empower the people in its truest sense and provide them with options.
The President noted that as it stands, the positions of the council members, Parliament members and the President are not positions where the elected officials can be removed by the people. However, that should not be the case, as this undermines the power of the people, he said. The President said the bill that the government intends to propose would give the people the full authority to remove elected officials from office in cases of lack of public confidence.
"If more than two-thirds of the eligible voters support it, they will be removed from office. This includes councillors, members of the Parliament and the president — anyone in any elected position. This will truly empower the people. There is currently no check and balance,” the President said.
The President further said the current system which allows officials to remain in power for a full five-year term regardless of their actions in office is unacceptable. To commit a wrong act and remain in such a position until the end of the term is to deprive and strip the people of their power, he said. He assured that he will give the people the full power to remove such persons from office.