Deputy Speaker of the parliament, Moosa Manik have said that there is no legal barrier which prevents a member of any age from assuming the position of the speaker of the parliament. He said that the relevant laws also pave way to solve any problems if it were to rise.
Speaking to the press, Moosa said that according to the regulations of the parliament, any member of the parliament can become the speaker. He said that any Maldivian above the age of 18 can become a parliament member and then become the speaker or deputy speaker of the parliament.
Moosa said that, the constitution says that only a 35 year old person can become the president, and if someone below that age is the speaker of the parliament during a time the post of the president becomes vacant, then the same problems which would arise if someone above the 65 is the speaker of the parliament would arise.
He said that even though the constitution was amended to prevent people above the age of 65 from contesting in presidential elections, the regulations of the parliament were never changed. He said that there are relevant laws which could solve these problems if something were to happen.
Moosa said that if there is a situation where the speaker of the parliament has to assume the position of the president, it can be done even though a resolution.
“Electing someone above the age of 65 as the speaker of the parliament does not contradict with the constitution. A problem will occur only if the President and the vice president are out of office at the same time. The regulations state what should be done in such a situation” said Moosa.
