The Parliament has declared that the total number of members of the current 19th Parliament is 80.
Originally constituted with 87 members, the recent resignation of seven MPs to join President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's new government left the seats vacant. As per Article 78 of the Constitution, vacancies due to member resignations should be filled within 60 days. However, if less than six months remain until the next parliamentary election, by-elections will not be held.
At Monday's Parliament sitting, Ihavandhoo MP Mohamed Shifau moved an amendment to the Parliament rules to declare the total number of MPs of the current Parliament as 80. 42 members voted in favor of the amendments to Rule 49 of the Parliament Rules while 21 members voted against it.
"With this approval, the total number of Parliament members, for the purposes of the Parliament Rules, shall be considered as the total number of members of Parliament remaining at that time," Speaker Aslam announced.
With this amendment, the opposing Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) can unilaterally remove the President and Vice-President from power.
