Parliament in consensus that MP numbers should be capped

All Members of Parliament who spoke in today's debate about amending the Constitution to allow capping total number of parliamentarians spoke in favour of doing so.

In today's parliament sitting MPs debated on a motion submitted by People's National Congress (PNC) MP Ibrahim Shujau on limiting the number of members.

Dhiggaru MP and Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ahmed Nazim said that if the member numbers remains uncapped, it would rise to 108 seats in 2029 and 115 in 2033.

Nazim explained that this increase is caused because the Constitution states that each 5000 persons must have a representative in parliament, but added that this issue had arisen in other countries where they have found solutions for it.

He said that some countries have adopted a formula called cube root relationship, introduction of which would decrease MP numbers to 72 in Maldives.

He then said some countries consider the working population in assigning MP numbers, which in Maldives would result in 80 members.

Nazim proposed as a solution that the current figure of 5000 persons be increased to 10,000 persons. Then, he said, parliament member numbers would not exceed 70 even in the coming 25 years.

"Maldivian citizens, as well as us, need to accept our actual height. Right now we are wading in waters deeper than we can stand in. We need to accept our real height, and maintain things within our reach," Nazim said.

North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) responded that when the new Constitution had been established in 2008, the population of Maldives had been much lower than now, with some Atolls having less than 5000 residents.

As a result, it was decided that each atoll must have two members, he said. However, if the MPs representing each 5000 persons is limited to one, then the member number will decrease to 72, he said.

"If we act in this way, we can save MVR 108 million from the State budget in five years," he said.

Ibrahim also stated that he believed the defined 5000 persons should be raised to 7000 instead. He said that if this done, the voting population will increase in each administrative area, thereby reducing chances of vote buying.

Jumhoori Party Leader and MP for Maamigili Gasim Ibrahim said that it makes no logical sense for MP numbers to keep on increasing. He said that the matter had been proposed to the 19th People's Majlis where MDP held the majority, which, however, rejected the motion.

Although Gasim agrees with the motion submitted by Shujau, he does not believe that the 5000 people limit should be increased. Gasim said that doing so would just result in having to amend the Constitution again as the population continues to grow.

He proposed to establish specific constituencies and having that included in the Constitution, which he believes will offer a permanent solution to the issue.

"Establish a reasonable number, and then go with that. That's all that needs to be done. Whether it is 93 or 87, we need to decide on a number and work alongside that, that will sort this out. Otherwise, we will have to bring changes to the Constitution again later," he said.

North Maafannu MP Mohamed Nazim said that his party, Maldives National Party (MNP) had held internal discussions on this matter, adding that he fully backs the motion.

He said that the Maldives' economic situation is not at a position where it can pay salaries to a high number of people. Nazim believes that along with parliament members, the number of council members also needs to be decreased.

"The financial burden has increased after the [council] members and SG members were increased during the last term. Council numbers and salaries need to be decreased," Nazim said.

Nazim provided an example of how parliaments are conducted in small island states. He said that Mauritius, with a population of 1.3 million, has 70 members of parliament, while Seychelles, with a population of 100,000 has 35 members, and Fiji, with a population of 896,000 has 51 members.

Nazim said that in consideration of the Maldives' population, the best solution would be to have an MP for every 10,000 persons. Once this is done, parliament would have 52 members and allow for saving MVR 31 million, he said.

Difference in opinion about salary and privileges

Parliamentarians, however, had dissenting views regarding reducing their salaries and privileges.

MP Ibrahim said that in the 19th Parliament, MVR 448 million was spent on the salaries and insurance of 87 members over five years. While the 20th Parliament has 93 members, the members' salaries are reaching MVR 479 million.

"What we should always be asking is does this added MVR 30 million bring any benefits to the people? We cannot continually keep up these expenses," he said.

He called to align MP salaries and allowances with those of other State institutions. He pointed out that MPs determining their own salaries is a conflict of interest, and further called to limit members to being able to serve no more than two consecutive terms.

However MPs Shujau, Gasim and Nazim are all against decreasing salaries. They maintain that the pay offered to MPs is low compared to the work they do.

Shujau then said that even if he is against lowering salary amounts, he does not believe that the privileges should be extended to MPs after their terms have ended. He said that it makes no sense for the State to be obliged to spend on an MP for a lifetime after they have served a single term.

Gasim and Nazim were not in agreement with this, either. They both believe that members who have served in the Parliament at any time must be provided with privileges.