The disciplinary committee of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has decided to dismiss three of its lawmakers from the party.
Supreme Court's ruling on floor crossing dictates that parliamentarians representative of any political party would lose their parliament seat if sacked from party membership.
The ruling party will be terminating Thimarafushi constituency lawmaker Mohamed Musthafa, North-Fuvahmulah constituency member Ali Shah and North-Thinadhoo constituency parliamentarian Saudhulla Hilmy.
All three members pledged allegiance with the opposition during the no-confidence motion of parliament Speaker Abdulla Maseeh.
The party's Secretary General and Nilandhoo constituency lawmaker Abdulla Khaleel had confirmed all three members have been dismissed from party membership and according to the current ruling on floor crossing, all three of them have been dismissed from parliament seats as well.
Similarly six other lawmakers who were originally from ruling PPM were axed from the party who had shown fealty to the opposition over parliament Speaker's no-confidence motion. Meanwhile Elections Commission had announced by-election on all six constituencies.
The situation had been the subject of mass confusion, pitting pro and anti government lawmakers to comprehend Supreme Court's ruling over the defected lawmakers case.
Recently parliament had approved an MVR 493 million supplementary budget which included MVR 26 million allocated for the planned by-elections.
However according to the Maldivian Constitution, over elections and primaries, by-elections must be held within 60 days of announcement else it would be declared void.
