Parliament has rejected the amendment to the Constitution proposed by opposition Maldivian Democratic Party MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem, which seeks to affect dismissals of MPs through a vote taken amongst constituents.
Parliament has rejected the amendment to the Constitution proposed by opposition Maldivian Democratic Party MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem, which seeks to affect dismissals of MPs through a vote taken amongst constituents.
Ruling People's National Congress (PNC) MP Mohamed Shahid earlier submitted an amendment which stipulates that MPs who cross the floor, leave or are dismissed from parties, as well as independent MPs who join parties, would lose their parliamentary seats. The parliament has now concluded debate on this amendment and sent it for review to the Committee of the Whole House.
Meekail submitted his amendment to be put into effect instead of the government's proposal. In Meekail's amendment, instead of the MP being summarily dismissed from his seat, eligible constituents will take a vote to decide whether the MP in question can retain their seat.
His amendment further states that if a set minimum percentage of voters from an MP's constituency submit a petition, then the parliament can review it and hold a referendum in the relevant constitution, through which the MP can be dismissed.
The amendment says that in constituencies other than from cities, 25 percent of the electorate must sign a petition seeking to dismiss an MP. The number is changed to 15 percent in Male' and other cities.
It states that if majority votes in such a referendum are in favour of dismissing the MP, they will effectively lose their seats. If the majority is against the MP's dismissal, then the MP would remain as an independent for the rest of their term.
However, of the 80 members who voted on this amendment, 68 voted to reject it, with only 12 voting in favour.
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