President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has sent back the bill granting former Vice Presidents privileges to the Parliament for reconsideration.

Spokesperson of the President, Ibrahim Hoodh revealed to One Online that the bill was sent back for reconsideration without ratification since President Solih believes that it goes against the core values of the constitution. In addition to this, he noted that the bill did not state anything about the period of service for VPs to receive said benefits.

Explaining the President's decision to send back the bill further, Hoodh said that there was no chapter in the constitution which says benefits should be given to Vice Presidents. One more reason for the decision was that the bill enables people who had served in as a Vice President for as less as two months to receive the same benefits.

The bill passed by Parliament states that any person who has successfully filled in as a Vice President will receive a financial benefit of MVR 35,000 from the state, as long as they are free from being proven guilty in any crime.

The bill granting these benefits to former VPs was presented to the parliament by MP Ahmed Saleem (Redwave Saleem) from Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). As per the bill, starting from the ratification of the bill former VPs Ibrahim Jihad, Mohamed Waheed Deen and Dr. Mohamed Jameel would receive the benefits.

Former President Abdulla Yameen's second VP, Ahmed Adeeb is an exclusion from these since he has been proven guilty in a terror case. Former President Mohamed Nasheed's VP, Dr. Mohamed Waheed is also excluded since he later went on to fill in as a President.

The bill passed during the last meeting of the 18th session of Parliament on April 29 notes that adequate security should be provided to a VP upon request.

The bill also states that if a VP requests, security services should provide a vehicle for transportation within the capital with all expenses being covered by the state in addition to the provision of a diplomatic passport and VIP treatment.