Nihan backs amendment to prevent MPs from party change

In an interview with PSM’s Raajje Miadhu programme on Thursday, former Prosecutor General and prominent member of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik, shared his strong support for the constitutional amendments aimed at preventing Members of Parliament (MPs) from changing parties during their term. 

The amendment, passed and ratified on Wednesday, stipulates that MPs could lose their seats if they switch allegiance to another political party.

Nihan emphasised that this amendment is crucial for the integrity of the political system and strengthens the bond between elected officials and the parties they represent. He argued that political parties play a significant role in the electoral process, investing substantial resources into campaigns and supporting candidates who run under their banner. 

According to Nihan, it is unfair for MPs to change parties after the people have voted for them based on the party’s platform.

"Members of Parliament come on the party's ticket, campaign on behalf of the party, and get party funds," Nihan explained. "I still remember some citizens of Addu Atoll Feydhoo saying that party members used their own personal funds to support their campaigns, only to see those same members leave the party once elected."

He stressed that the amendment should have been implemented much earlier, as it addresses a long-standing issue in Maldivian politics, where MPs have switched parties, sometimes mid-term, causing instability and public dissatisfaction. 

“This is an important amendment that has been enshrined in the Constitution and completed today,” Nihan remarked, calling it a necessary and timely change.

According to Nihan, political parties not only contribute financially to their candidates but also bear the burden of grassroots campaigning, with ordinary members and supporters working tirelessly for the success of their party. 

The amendment, he believes, will hold MPs accountable to their constituents and their party, fostering stability in the political system.

Nihan noted that if MPs understand that their seat is tied to the party they represent, they will be more committed to their party's values and the welfare of their constituents. 

“Then the members will know that they will travel to parliament with the majority of the people in the next five years, and if the party's color, finances, and the work of the ordinary members bear all the burden," Nihan stated.

Nihan also highlighted the growing public trust in the current government, stressing that any disruption in Parliament could jeopardize the country’s stability. He pointed out that the increasing number of party members elected each term signifies the trust the public places in political parties and their platforms. 

"There is an indirect agreement and bond between the people and the parties, bound by the constitution," Nihan concluded.