Independent members join PNC: PNC alone has acquired super majority

Six of the eleven independent candidates who had secured seats in the parliamentary elections of the upcoming 20th term held on Sunday has officially joined the ruling political party, People's National Congress (PNC).

Five out of these six MP-Elects had revoked their PNC party membership prior to the elections to contend as independent candidates due to the party endorsing candidates other than the official winners of the party primaries.

PNC stated today that six candidates were signed into the party yesterday under the presence of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, tallying their total number of seats to 72. These MP-Elects are:

- MP-Elect of Huraa Constituency, Dr Anara Naeem

- MP-Elect of Mathiveri Constituency, Hassan Zareer

- MP-Elect of Central Machangoalhi Constituency, Ahmed Zameer

- MP-Elect of Thimarafushi Constituency, Ahmed Riyaz

- MP-Elect of Naifaru Constituency Yasin Abdulla

- MP-Elect of Vilingili Constituency, Azim Abdul Azeez

Of these six candidates, Ahmed Riyaz is the only member joining the party for the first time.

Accordingly with the regulations, the super majority of the upcoming 20th parliamentary term that allows alterations to be brought to the Consititution is 70 seats out of the total 93 seats at the parliament.

Tallying up the 67 PNC candidates that won the polls, the 6 independent candidates now directly aligned with the party and the 4 elected candidates from PNC affiliated parties also counted as part of them, Jumhooree Party, Maldives Development Association (MDA) and Maldives Nation Party (MNP), the total seats acquired by PNC for the upcoming term stands at 76.

This marks the first instance that a ruling party acquired such a high number of seats at the parliament. Although MDP had also similarly secured super majority of the 19th term, they had acquired 65 of the 87 seats.

While these Independent MP-Elects had signed into the PNC following their success in the polls, the Anti-Defection Act was ratified by the President on 16 April. This bill stipulates that if the parliament is informed of an independent MP joining any political party within his term, then a resignation must be submitted within 7 days. However, the bill does not detail procedures for instances where a member signs with a party prior to taking their oath of office.

Former Vice President of the Elections Commission (EC), Ismail Habeeb had also raised questions on whether this Act mandates members to resign accordingly by the law.

He recalled that some independent candidates who were elected for the 20th parliament term are officially aligned with a party, inquiring on what will happens once Elections Commissions delivers this information to the parliament.

Moreover, Habeeb had also raised questions on the course of conduct once a party affiliated or independent member is signed into another party without the members' consent nor knowledge, declaring that the Anti-Defection bill lacking these points are the reason for his doubts.