The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has strongly condemned the recent constitutional amendments approved by Parliament, describing it as a demonstration of the current administration's authoritarian tendencies.
The Parliament on Wednesday approved amendments to the Constitution which mandate that members of Parliament will lose their seats if they defect, leave, or are expelled from their elected party or if an independently elected member joins a party while in office. The amendment was ratified by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu later the same evening.
Speaking to reporters on the amendment, MDP's Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail criticized the move, describing it as a measure that "chains" parliamentarians and undermines their independence. He warned that such moves by the government would not go unchallenged by the public. He pledged that the MDP would work to reverse the changes if it secures a parliamentary majority in the future.
“We assure you that we will do whatever it takes to stop this from happening,” he said.
Fayyaz said the MDP has always supported the principle of members losing their seats if they voluntarily change parties. However, he stated that the newly ratified constitutional amendment, which dictates that a member will lose their seat if expelled from their party, cannot be implemented without clear regulations in place. He assured that the MDP would work to reverse the changes if it secures a parliamentary majority in the future.
“If a member loses his seat in the event of expulsion from the party, he can only be removed if the people agree and say yes, he should be removed,” he said.
Fayyaz said the MDP remains committed to ensuring the rights of the people. However, the ruling PNC's thinking and ideology is to restrict the people's freedom, he said.
