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New bill limiting number of seats proposed to parliament

13 November 2018, MVT 09:48
People's Majilis / Parliament
13 November 2018, MVT 09:48

Parliament representative for the constituency of Nilandhoo, Faafu Atoll Dr Abdulla Haleel proposed a bill on Monday, seeking to amend the constitution and limit the number of parliamentary seats to 85.

The bill proposed by Dr Haleel, a representative from the incumbent Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), outlines an amendment to Act 71 and 72 of the constitution, both of which deal with the composition of the parliament.

According to the current regulations, there are to be two parliamentarians for the first five thousand residents registered for each constituency or two members for constituencies with less than five thousand residents.

If the proposed bill is passed, the number of parliamentarians will be capped and seats will only be allocated to the 85 constituencies finalised in 2014.

The Elections Commission (EC) had recently added the constituencies of Machangolhi Central and Henveiru West to the capital, Male’.

With these two additions, the number of parliament seats will increase from 85 to 87 in the parliamentary election next year, with constituencies in the capital city totalling 15.

Several have expressed concern over the increase parliamentarians every presidential term. However, if the proposed amendments pass, it shall not account for population increases either, unless an additional amendment is brought forth.

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