An amendment has been submitted to the law concerning the security and allowances provided to individuals who have served as President, to eliminate the state budget expenditure for operating the offices of former presidents.

The first reading of this bill was presented during today's sitting of the Parliament.

This bill also includes provisions to eliminate the monthly MVR 175,000 financial allowance allocated from the state budget for the operation of former presidents' offices, along with related matters, and to stipulate that former presidents will not receive their allowances if they assume another state position.

According to this bill, which is scheduled to be proposed by Hulhudhoo constituency's PNC member Mohamed Shahid, if a former president is elected for a second presidential term or serves in any other state position, the allowances for former presidents will not be granted during that period.

Article 8 of the law on allowances for former presidents states that for these individuals to engage in socially beneficial community work, the state must provide up to MVR 175,000 monthly for an office, staff, and other related arrangements if they require it.

The amendment proposed by the government seeks to repeal this article. Therefore, if the amendment is passed, all expenses that the state is required to bear for the operation of former presidents' offices will be abolished.

The amendment also states that if a former president lives abroad, the provision of protection and security is not mandatory. However, the bill specifies that if such a person returns to the Maldives, protection and security must be provided.

The law on allowances for former presidents states that an individual who has served one term as President shall be provided a monthly financial allowance of MVR 50,000 by the state. And for an individual who has served more than one term, a monthly financial allowance of MVR 75,000 shall be provided by the state.

Additionally, the law stipulates that the state shall provide up to MVR 50,000 monthly to cover all expenses for the residence of an individual who has served as President.