Constitution amended: Floor crossing will cost MPs their seats

government today passed and ratified an amendment to the constitution which would result in Parliament Members (MPs) losing their seat if they switch political parties, or if they are dismissed from the party.

The initial reading of the bill, which was proposed to the Parliament by MP of Hulhudhoo constituency Mohamed Shahid, took place today. Within one hour of debate, the bill was forwarded to the parliament Committee.

Despite concerns raised from minority opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and some members of the super majority ruling party People's National Congress (PNC), the committee stage was expedited and passed with no amendments to the anti-defection clauses.

While constitutional amendments require at least 70 of the 83 sitting MPs, 78 members voted in favour of the committee's report this evening, while 13 votes were cast against the bill. All PNC members who attended today's sitting voted in favor of the amendment to the Constitution.

Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdullah also casted his vote today.

According to the government proposed amendment, MPs who leave or are removed from the party they contested with during parliamentary elections will lose their parliamentary seats if the switch occurs within the same term.

Additionally, the amendment stipulates that if an independent MP joins a political party, they will also lose their seat.

During the Committee, South Galolhu MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem moved to amend the clauses, specifically requiring a constituency vote if the MP loses their seat.

However, PNC MPs voted against the amendment.

The 19th Parliament also passed an anti-defection law that defines the circumstances in which members lose their seats. According to the law, if an MP crosses the floor, they would have to resign themselves.

However, the law did not specify what would happen if they failed to resign. A member of the public also filed a lawsuit to quash the law.

MDP supporters took to the streets in front of the Parliament in protest of the bill today. PNC activists also gathered to the same area defending ruling PNC's stance.