MDP, PNF absent from committee meeting on Public Referendum Bill

Main opposition party Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) failed to attend this morning's meeting of Parliament's Committee on Independent Commissions held to discuss the Public Referendum Bill.

While all political parties were invited for the meeting, MDP and People's National Front (PNF) failed to attend.

Parties that attended today's meeting are ruling People's National Congress (PNC), Jumhoori Party, Maldives Development Alliance (MDA), Maldives National Party (MNP) and Adhaalath Party.

"We invited PNF and MDP as well. Our hope is that, although they were unable to attend today for various reasons, they will come and share their views while we are in the process of reviewing this bill," Committee Chair MP Hussain Riza Adam (Maafushi) said.

At today's meeting, the committee heard the suggestions and views of the parties that attended.

The Public Referendum Bill was submitted by PNC MP Ibrahim Falah on behalf of the government. It calls for public referendums to be taken in relation to amending fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed in the constitution, parliamentary term, presidential term, presidential election, ratification of bills and Maldives' territory.

The bill stipulates that the referendums must be organized and held by the Elections Commission.

Yesterday, the commission met with the Elections Commission, which requested that the duration within which referendums should be held be extended to 45 to 120 days from the 45 to 90 days currently allocated.