Dunya: People should have the power to recall MPs

Dunya Maumoon, who is contesting for South Hulhumale’ constituency in the upcoming parliamentary elections independently, states she is supportive of empowering the public via the law to recall MPs elected to the parliament.

Dunya, underscoring that the people desperately wished to hold MPs more accountable, cited the introduction and implementation of a ‘MP Recall Act” as the easiest way to achieve this as the legislature will provide empower the constituents to remove the MPs they have elected from the post.

“An MP Recall Act is fundamental to ensure that MPs are accountable and answerable to their constituents even during their term of office. The voters should always have the power to control the behavior of the MP - this will make the MP attend Majlis regularly, consult with the constituents regularly on important matters and remain accessible at all times,” she said.

Dunya, in this trajectory, affirmed full support to such a legislature.

Speaking at the parliamentary debate hosted by the state media, Dunya said the people want honest and sincere MPs.

“We do not want MPs who shift parties by way deals or for money, MPs that disappear or never meet with the constituents and MPs who do not serve the people,” Dunya, who has served in the government for 25 years, said.

Some MPs have previously supported holding by-elections to elect new MPs for constituencies where people have clearly lost trust in the incumbent MP.

One of the countries enforcing such a law is the United Kingdom. Under the law which came into effect in 2015, MPs can be recalled if they are found to have committed certain offenses under a recall petition.

If at least 10 percent of the voters of the constituency sign the petition, the MP will lose their seat which will trigger a by-election.