Addressing criticism that the amendment lacked public consultation, Abdul Raheem said that the constitution specifies which Acts require public opinion, and this amendment was not among them.
The opposition will no longer have the opportunity to divide Parliament due to the recently passed constitutional amendment stipulating that MPs who change parties, leave, or are expelled during the same term will lose their parliamentary seats, Parliament Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla said.
The amendment, submitted by Hulhudhoo MP Mohamed Shahid on behalf of the government, was passed yesterday with 78 votes in favor, while 13 MDP members voted against it. Constitutional amendments requiring at least 70 votes from the 83 sitting MPs. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu ratified the amendment yester shortly after Parliament passing the bill.
Speaking to state media PSM, Abdul Raheem said that President Muizzu had pledged to amend laws and the Constitution to put the country on the right track. He said that the new amendment are in line with this pledge.
"99 percent of MPs are elected on a party ticket. The vote people cast for these MPs is for the party. If members change parties, it deprives the people of their right" Abdul Raheem stated.
He said that MPs campaign under their party’s logo and policies, making their allegiance to the party a critical aspect of their mandate.
Addressing criticism that the amendment lacked public consultation, Abdul Raheem said that the constitution specifies which Acts require public opinion, and this amendment was not among them.
"They passed the [anti-defection] law when their term was about to end. They thought the PNC would not get a super majority in the parliament. They made the law in fear that members would cross the floor to the government backed party," he said.
The constitutional amendment, stipulates that MPs elected through political parties will lose their seats if they resign, switch parties, or are expelled. Additionally, the bill states that independent MPs who join a political party during the same term will also lose their seats. The new amendment also stipulates that independent MPs will lose their seats if they join a political party during the same term.
When asked about the swift passing of the bill, Abdul Raheem defended the process, stating it adhered to parliamentary regulations. He noted that similar amendments have been expedited in the past and said that the public’s mandate for the PNC’s supermajority was to move forward at a quick pace.
However, he assured that adequate research and discussions would be conducted in cases requiring more input.
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.
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