Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s parliamentary group has revealed intentions to re-implement the Anti-Defection Act, which would result in members changing political parties to lose their parliamentary seats.
Previously, the anti-floor crossing act was established and implemented during the former President Abdulla Yameen's administration. However, after Yameen faced defeat in the 2018 presidential election, the Act was revoked on November 1 with the endorsement of the then-ruling MDP members during the transition period. The revocation of the Act was passed with 37 out of the 54 members who attended voting on the matter. The majority of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), who faced defeat in the presidential election, wished to retain the law.
Yameen ratified the bill on the Anti-Defection Act's repeal just five days before his presidential term's end on November 13, 2018.
MDP opposed the act back then, claiming the law was implemented to the detriment of specific lawmakers.
During the press conference held at the parliament's secretariat on Saturday, December 30, MDP's Hulhumalé MP Ali Niyaz said that the practice of shifting political allegiances following regime changes were not uncommon.
MP Niyaz also revealed the party's current discussions towards re-implementing the Anti-Defection Act, which he said was unrelated to the recent exit of 13 MDP members who have since joined the ruling People's National Congress (PNC).
"It is not outside of our purview to launch attempts on [re-implementing Anti-Defection Act] in collaboration with the parties allied with us," MP Niyaz said.
When questioned why MDP did not commence efforts on the Act's re-implementation, Niyaz said there was still ample time to launch the efforts.
He further highlighted that 43 of the party's members are in the parliament, who would retain their seats until the current session ends.
The Anti-Defection Act was first proposed for introduction during former President Abdulla Yameen's presidency as well. When the PPM parliamentary group proposed the bill for approval at the 19th parliamentary term, the then opposition MDP did not vote in favor of it.
The opposition also sought the Supreme Court's remedy for the matter, citing that the Act contravened with the Constitution. However, the top court held that the legislation was legitimate.
The Act's repeal was first proposed during the transitional period in 2018 following former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's presidential election win.
However, in 2019, amid the then parliamentary election, the former president from MDP argued that the anti-floor crossing law needs to be re-implemented.
Moreover, the Anti-Defection Bill was among the 200 pieces of legislative bills proposed as amendments to the Constitution during Solih's administration, which, however, was never forwarded to the parliament throughout his five-year term.
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