MDP questions parliament's legal status after constitutional bill
Fayyaz alleged that the constitutional amendment had been enacted in a manner that contravenes the constitution itself.
The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) raised concerns on Thursday regarding the legal status of the ruling Progressive National Congress (PNC)-majority parliament, following a constitutional amendment passed the previous day.
The amendment was expedited through all stages of the legislative process—first reading, preliminary debate, and committee review—before being passed in the evening session on Wednesday. President Mohamed Muizzu also ratified the amendment Wednesday evening.
Addressing a press conference at the MDP headquarters, party leaders expressed apprehension about the swift passage of the amendment. Abdulla Shahid, President of the MDP, noted that the changes raised significant questions about the current parliament’s legitimacy.
“These members were elected under a constitution that did not include these provisions,” Shahid said. “The critical question now is the status of this parliament. Should the parliament elected under the earlier constitution be dissolved, and a new parliament elected?”
Responding to questions about a potential constitutional case in the Supreme Court, Fayyaz Ismail, MDP Chairman, emphasised that the party generally opposes judicial interference in parliamentary decisions. However, he alleged that the constitutional amendment had been enacted in a manner that contravenes the constitution itself.
"As a rule, we believe the Supreme Court should not intervene in decisions made by a branch of the state. But in this instance, parliament has altered the constitution in a way that violates its provisions,” Fayyaz said.
When pressed further by reporters, Fayyaz stated that the party had not yet decided whether to approach the Supreme Court. He acknowledged, however, that the judiciary might be the next recourse when parliamentary actions contradict the constitution and democratic principles.
“Our party operates through consultation. We will deliberate on this matter before deciding our next course of action,” he said.
