Supreme Court Allows Anti-Corruption Act Bills to Pass Despite IMF Concerns

The Supreme Court determined that the Twenty-Second Amendment (22A) to the Constitution and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill could be enacted into law with a two-thirds majority, finding no need for a referendum. This action occurred while an IMF team had expressed serious concerns about downside economic risks and proposed amendments to the IMF-backed Anti-Corruption Act. The National People’s Power lawmakers voted in favor of the 22A.

The IMF team had previously raised concerns about the potential for downside economic risks associated with the Anti-Corruption Act. The passage of the 22A bills and related legislation by the parliament, following the Supreme Court's ruling, moves the legislative framework forward despite these international concerns.