Defence Minister Adam Shareef (R) beside President Yameen (C) at the closing ceremony of MNDF 12th Drill Competition. PHOTO/PRESIDENT’S OFFICE
Minister of Defence Adam Shareef declared late Tuesday that the Maldives’ military are in favour of the proposed amendment to the Armed Forces Act to ban military officers from voting in political elections.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF)’s 12th Drill Competition, the minister proclaimed that the leadership and soldiers of the military were the first to welcome the notion of amending the Armed Forces Act.
Minister Shareef said the amendment will be lobbied to the parliament this year and expressed hopes for support from ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and other political parties. He went on to assure that the authorities will not rush the amendment, saying, “We’ll proceed with this after completing all the necessary procedures.”
The defence minister also hailed the armed forces’ professionalism which he said is indicated by their support for this bill. He described the military as a force always working towards improvement and progress, highlighting their priority of duty over own agendas.
“We also receive their full cooperation and aid with everything that aims for the advancement of the military.”
The minister first announced the proposed amendment at the inauguration of the MNDF Drill Competition, saying that the bill is necessary to ensure lack of bias and separation from political influences for the military. However, the opposition has slammed the proposed amendment, stressing that Subject 20 of the Armed Forces Act accords the right to vote to all armed forces, a right which is accorded to all Maldivian citizens over the age of 18 in the Constitution.