Additional 7 MDP MPs sign constitutional referendum petition

Additional seven MPs from Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has signed the petition calling for a constitutional referendum to switch from a presidential system to a parliamentary system – raising the total up to 15.

Up until yesterday, only eight MPs had signed the petition.

The petition was drafted up by the renowned lawyer Ahmed Nishan who had spoken to Sun today regarding it – noting that they have received immense support for the petition.

In this regard, seven additional MPs from MDP have signed the petition today which has raised the total up to 15. They are:

• ·         Ungoofaaru MP Mohamed Waheed (Wadde)
• Central Maafannu MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bonde)
• Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, North Galolhu MP Eva Abdulla
• Madaveli MP Hussain Firushan
• North Maafannu MP Imthiyaz Fahmy (Inthi)
• Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb
• Bilehdhoo MP Ahmed Haleem (Dhonbileh)
• Gadhdhoo MP Ahmed Zahir
• Velidhoo MP Mohamed Abdulla Shafeeg
• North Mahchangoalhi MP Mohamed Rasheed
• Vilifushi MP Hassan Afeef
• South Galolhu MP Mickail Ahmed Naseem
• North Henveiru MP Ibrahim Muiz
• Thoddoo MP Hassan Shiyan
• Fonadhoo MP Moosa Siraj

Speaking further, Nishan noted that as the petition is being signed across different areas in the Maldives – at the moment it is difficult to disclose the total number of signatures received. He added that work was currently being done to consolidate all the forms.

Nevertheless, he noted that more people than they anticipated are signing the petition every day – thus is hopeful about reaching the target of gathering 1,000,000 signatories within 100 days.