The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has requested changes to the Civil Service Act to prevent civil servants from participating in political activities or joining political parties.
CSC President Dr. Ali Shameem, speaking at the Parliament’s Budget Review Committee on Wednesday, said the committee is working to reform the Civil Service Act.
One such amendment is to change the laws such that civil servants are not allowed to participate in any political activity, Shameem stated.
When the Civil Service Act was first ratified, civil servants were said to be unable to join a political party or participate in political activities. However, the 18th Parliament abrogated the article in 2018, citing that it infringes on every citizen’s constitutional rights. 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 that at the time, civil servants are tasked with implementing government policies and serving the public. The law as it is currently, however, makes it difficult to ensure that their obligations are fulfilled regardless of political influences.
“Civil servants can now become members of political parties. They can go to and participate in political rallies. However, civil servants are tasked with executing the policies of the government. This is how it is in other countries in this region,” said Dr. Shameem.
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