Lawmakers of Parliament pictured during a sitting. PHOTO:Parliament
The resolution lobbied to the parliament by member of main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and Male West MP Mohamed Falah against ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) for coercing people to sign on as members of PPM has been thrown out.
The resolution was thrown out with a clear majority of 38 to 20 votes in favour and three votes null.
The resolution calls to ban the actions of PPM, which has allegedly forced people to sign membership with threats of taking away their jobs unless they complied.
Noting that nobody should be coerced to work, the resolution stated that such actions are against humanity and human rights as well as international treaties that the Maldives is part of.
In addition, the resolution urged to uphold the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ethics of the International Labor Organization, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which are bound by the Constitution as well.
During the debate, lawmakers of PPM said that new members are joining the party willingly with their hearts and souls as they believe in the development brought to the nation by President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
The resolution seconded by Machangolhi North MP Maariya Ahmed Didi added that the actions of PPM are against the Constitution and its spirit, urging the parliament to ban the actions.
Speaking at the debate, Lawmaker of Fonadhoo Constituency Abdul Raheem Abdulla heavily censured the opposition MDP. Claiming that PPM is not behind closed doors but open to all, he vowed to give away one year of his earnings should MDP able to get 100 members within three days.
He further defended the Cabinet Ministers, saying that they are stepping out into the public to seek more members due to the love they have for the party.
Referring to the Presidential Elections of 2018, he went on to declare that PPM will bring in results that would make competition in the elections tough for opposition leaders. He added that they will face the elections in 2023 after bringing certain constitutional reforms, but did not reveal any details on these amendments.
Previously, PPM leader and Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom had also stated that some people are being coerced to become members of the party. However, President Abdulla Yameen’s faction of the divided ruling party has denied the allegations.