MDP Chairperson and former President Mohamed Nasheed, together with Fayyaz Ismail — who has announced he will contest the party’s presidential primary — have jointly submitted a paper titled “Bodu Badhal” (Big Change) to next month’s MDP Congress, proposing major changes to the system of governance.

The main opposition party MDP has scheduled its Congress for October 1–3. The amendments being submitted to Congress were made public today. The paper was seconded by former MP Ilyas Labeeb.

The paper states that regardless of who becomes MDP’s presidential candidate, the “Big Change” agenda must be carried forward, and calls for this to be passed through Congress. It also calls for amending the Constitution to make it mandatory to obtain public consent on major decisions, and to structure the framework so that the people have direct power to remove the President and Members of Parliament.

Five changes to the governance structure have been proposed. These include making the head of state and the head of government two separate positions, and making the head of government a leader who is elected by direct public vote and accountable to Parliament. It also includes designating the head of state — the President — as a figure appointed by a majority of those holding elected office, such as Members of Parliament and councils.

Tags: President Nasheed, Fayyaz Ismail

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Nasheed, Fayyaz submit governance overhaul plan to MDP Congress.