Record budget passed after opposition boycott
The record-high budget was passed with 39 votes in favour exclusively from ruling coalition lawmakers in the 85-member house.
22 Nov 2017, 9:00 AM
Parliament has passed an MVR27.9 billion (US$1.8 billion) budget for 2018 with less than half of the 85-member house present for the vote.
After a final debate, the record-high budget was passed with 39 votes in favour exclusively from ruling coalition lawmakers. Opposition lawmakers, who have been protesting in the chamber since August, boycotted Wednesday’s sitting.
Ahead of the vote, opposition lawmakers sought a Supreme Court order stating that a majority must be present for the vote. But the apex court refused to grant the injunction.
The constitution requires more than half of the total membership to be present for “voting on any matter requiring compliance by citizens” but ruling party lawmakers say the budget is a spending plan rather than a law.
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