Parliament holds first sitting this Ramadan as govt. holidays set to begin tomorrow

The Parliament held its first sitting in Ramadan on Sunday with just 11 days in the holy month remaining.

The 20th parliamentary assembly, in which the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) holds a supermajority, last convened on February 17, coinciding with the final day of the month of Sha'ban.

Sunday’s sitting marks the first parliamentary session following an 18-day hiatus.

Despite the absence of plenary sittings during this period, several parliamentary committees remained active, including the Social Affairs Committee, the Judiciary Committee, and the National Development and Heritage Committee. In addition, a subcommittee of the Public Accounts Committee convened to review special audits related to Fenaka Corporation. Four committee meetings are also scheduled for Sunday.

The agenda for Sunday’s sitting includes deliberations on the government-proposed National Service Bill. Parliament is also set to review reports from the Foreign Relations Committee concerning the appointment of ambassadors to Serbia, Oman, and Armenia. Additionally, lawmakers will debate a report by the National Development and Heritage Committee on proposed amendments to the Employment Act of Maldives.

A lawmaker confirmed that sittings will not be held during the last ten days of Ramadan, as these days are designated government holidays. Parliamentary sittings are expected to resume after the Eid al-Fitr holidays and the observance of the six days of fasting in Shawwal.

Notably, during this recess, members of both the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the ruling PNC have been actively campaigning for the upcoming Maldives Local Council Elections.

Lawmakers receive substantial salaries in addition to various state-funded allowances and benefits.