The lawsuit was filed by former Kendhoo MP and lawyer Ali Hussain, who contends that the recent amendments contravened the Constitution and the fundamental structure of the Constitution.
Supreme Court has accepted a constitutional case challenging recent amendments to the Maldives Constitution.
The lawsuit was filed by former Kendhoo MP and lawyer Ali Hussain, who contends that the recent amendments contravened the Constitution and the fundamental structure of the Constitution.
Opposition parties, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and The Democrats, have announced their decision to join the lawsuit.
According to the constitutional amendment submitted by ruling party People's National Congress MP for Hulhudhoo Mohamed Shahid on behalf of the government, 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.
The amendment now also requires that a public referendum must be held when amending important articles of the Constitution that relates to citizens, stating that if this is to amended, a public referendum also has to be held.
The article relating the Exclusive Economic Zone was also amended, stating that any changes can be brought to it through a public referendum.
The Constitution was further amended so that any foreign military personnel will now require parliamentary authorization to be active in the country for any purpose besides training activities.
The amendments were expedited, with the debate and committee processes completed in a single day. This is a record for constitutional amendments in the Maldives. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu ratified the changes shortly after they were passed by Parliament.
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