PNC, MDP agree on capping parliamentarian numbers

Both ruling People's National Congress (PNC) and opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) concur that the total number of parliamentarians must be capped and stated the same at the Parliament's Independent Institutions Committee meeting held yesterday.

While at present there are 93 members of parliament, with the rising population of the country, the number of parliamentarians also increase with every five year term.

The parties shared their views on the matter in yesterday's committee meeting which deliberated on the motion submitted to parliament on capping number of parliamentarians.

MDP Spokesperson Anas Abdul Sattar asserted that capping the number of parliamentarians is a necessary step, but added that it must only be done after seeking opinions from all political parties, civil service organizations and the public.

Anas said that the current arrangement where there has to be a member for every 5000 citizens comes with its own pros and cons. Hence, a change to member numbers must be brought after gauging, in light of past experience, the pros and cons that such a chance would pose.

Anas then said that if the members of one branch of the State is being reduced with the intention of bringing down State expenditure, this move would prove ineffective if, on the other hand, people are being appointed to political positions without any control or limit.

"If this is being done based on the financial burden, then we must adopt a similar view towards expenses in other branches of State as well," he said.

MDP's Legal Director Mahfooz Saeed said that in some countries, the number of parliamentarians are now capped.

He said that America's Congress caps member numbers at 435, and 650 in the UK. India has not determined a specific number, but the upper limit is 552 members as per their Constitution, Mahfooz said.

He said that if Maldives wishes to adopt such an approach, it must be done in a way that does not compromise people's representation.

"Even if we determine a specific number in the Constitution, it is important to research how we will elect people to that number," he said.

PNC was represented in this meeting by the party's Deputy President and Baarah constituency MP Ibrahim Shujau.

He asserted that he wishes to rise above political differences between the two parties, and conclude this matter in a way that is in the best interests of the nation.

He said that it will be done with the participation of all citizens, and that the change should contribute to building more confidence in the system amongst the people.

Shujau pointed out some of the issues faced under the current arrangement of having a member to represent every 5000 citizens. He pointed out that those on the Male' Register (Dhaftharu) are necessitated to vote for different constituencies in every election, while even other voters often see a change in the constituencies where they have to cast their vote.

Although when drafting the Constitution, the number of constituents had been decided at 5000 believing this would allow for gathering public sentiments, Shujau believes that with the technological advances that have come since, it would prove effective even if this number was raised to 10,000 constituents or beyond.

Committee Chair and MP for Maafushi Hussain Riza Ahmed appealed to both parties to gather opinions from general members of their parties and submit it in writing. The parliament has also opened up the motion for comments from the public.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has earlier announced that in a bid to decrease State expenditure, the number of parliamentarians and council members will be decreased through an amendment to the Constitution, as well as amending the Constitution to hold the presidential and parliamentary elections concurrently. He said that this would save hundreds of millions from State expenditures.