Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed states the constitution and the Parliament Act allows the parliament to draft and pass bills.
Speaking to the press, Speaker Nasheed said the parliament intends to make several laws required in Maldives. In this regard, efforts are currently underway to draft and pass bills proposed to parliament by political parties and the government.
The Parliament Act suggests bills by the government are to be submitted by parliament members of the ruling party.
However, Speaker Nasheed said, according to the law, parliamentarians from Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) are not eligible to present two of the bills proposed by the ruling party. Nasheed explained the Income Tax Act and Unemployment Benefits Act cannot be presented by MDP, as they are financial bills. He further highlighted there are no legal challenges for the parliament in drafting bills as the parliament is entrusted with the authority to make law.
Speaking to the press, opposition Parliamentarian Adam Shareef Umar voiced concerns against parliament drafting bills. He also criticised the approach in which the sessions of parliament are held, accusing Speaker Nasheed of practicing the approach of a parliamentary system. He further iterated the parliament is not mandated with the authority to draft bills, even though it has the right to make law.
Addressing concerns about the bills drafted by the parliament, Speaker Nasheed said a special committee of the parliament will make drafts, in consultation with the Attorney General's Office and other stakeholders.
Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath commented that a parliament of integrity would allow the government to draft and propose bills to ensure the government fulfils its manifesto.