No referendum needed to disqualify defecting MPs: Committee

The Whole of Majlis Committee today passed a measure that removes the requirement for a public referendum when disqualifying a Member of Parliament  elected on a political party ticket that defects or is expelled from that party.

Late last year, the Parliament amended the Constitution to stipulate that an MP would lose their seat if they changed the political party they represented or if they were expelled from that party.

However, the government, through PNC member for Baarah constituency, Ibrahim Shujau, proposed an amendment that would only allow an MP to lose their seat after changing or being expelled from their party if it was approved by a public referendum among the constituents of that specific electoral district.

When the Whole of Majlis Committee put the bill to a vote after its study, PNC member for Funadhoo constituency, Mohamed Mamdhooh, proposed an amendment to remove the article that required a public referendum.

Consequently, this proposal passed with the votes of 50 members out of the 60 members who participated in the vote. Eight members voted against removing the article, and two members abstained.

The committee's decision to remove the requirement for a public referendum for the disqualification of defecting MPs comes after a case was previously filed at the Supreme Court challenging the initial constitutional amendment that mandated the forfeiture of a seat upon changing or being expelled from a party.

While the Supreme Court had previously held hearings for the case, which was submitted by former Kendhoo MP Ali Hussain, the hearings have not been resumed since the composition of the Supreme Court bench changed.