Civil Service Commission (CSC) has requested amendments to the Civil Service Act such that civil servants are not allowed to take part in political activities or join political parties.
Speaking at the Parliament's Budget Review Committee on Wednesday, CSC President Dr Ali Shameem said the commission is working to bring amendments to the Civil Service Act.
One such amendment is to change the laws such that civil servants are not allowed to take part in any political activities, said Shameem.
When the Civil Service Act was first approved, it said that civil servants cannot join a political party or take part in political activities. However, the article was repealed in 2018 by the 18th parliament citing that it infringes on constitutional rights of every citizen. Article 30)a) of the constitution states that every citizen has the right to establish and to participate in the activities of political parties.
Dr Shameem said civil servants are tasked with executing the policies of the government at that time and serving the public. However, the law as it currently is makes it difficult to ensure their responsibilities will be fulfilled independent of political influences.
"Civil servants can now become members of political parties. They can go to and participate in political rallies. However, civil servant are tasked with executing the policies of the government. This is how it is in other countries in this region," said Dr Shameem.
