President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has ratified amendments to three separate acts today.
The President's Office said President Solih had ratified the first amendment to the ‘Anti-Corruption Commission Act’ (Act No: 13/2008).
The amendment was passed by Parliament on 6 September 2020, at the 33rd sitting of its second session.
The amendment ensures added safeguards to protect the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) from corruption. This includes mandating all appointed individuals to publish their asset declaration and ensuring that individuals cannot unduly benefit from their position or abuse their influence. It further delineates clear ethical guidelines for members to abide by.
The President's Office also said that President Solih ratified the fifth amendment to the ‘Civil Service Act’ (Act No. 5/2007). The amendment was passed by Parliament at the 33rd sitting of its second session, on 6 September 2020.
The amendment brings certain changes to the responsibilities of the Civil Service Commission's (CSC's) President and Members. The amendment also strengthens the CSC’s ability to perform its mandate independently and without bias, and obligates members to submit their asset declaration statements.
It also prohibits them from engaging in employment outside of the Commission during their tenure, and from engaging in any activity that would result in a conflict of interest. Further, the amended Act sets conditions regarding maintaining records of the Commission's meetings.
The President also ratified the first amendment to the Elections Commission Act (Act no.: 08/2008).
The amendment was passed by Parliament at the 33rd sitting of its second session, held 6 September 2020.
The amended Act reconstitutes the duties and responsibilities of the Commission's President and Members while vesting the institution with more independence to exercise its mandate. It also makes it incumbent upon all Commission members to act professionally and impartially, when acting in an official capacity.
Upon the ratifications, the amendments to the Acts have been published in the Government’s Gazette and enter into force immediately.
