PNC MPs split over proposed constitutional amendment on defections
Two of the three PNC members who spoke during Wednesday’s parliamentary debate opposed the proposal to require a constituency vote.
Parliamentarians from the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) have expressed differing positions over a government-backed constitutional amendment that would require a referendum or roll-call vote of a constituency before a member of Parliament loses his seat for switching parties, defecting, or being expelled.
Under the amendment passed in November last year, a member currently loses his seat automatically if he resigns from the party, is expelled, or joins another party. The removal does not require the consent of constituents.
A case seeking to overturn the amendment is pending before the Supreme Court. In the meantime, PNC Parliamentary Group Deputy Leader and Baarah MP Ibrahim Shujau has proposed a further amendment to add an additional clause to the relevant articles.
Shujau’s proposal includes the following:
-
If a member resigns from the party, joins another party, or is expelled, a general vote must be held in the constituency to determine public opinion
-
The member will lose the seat if a majority votes for removal
-
If a majority votes against removal, the member will continue to serve as an independent
-
If the member later joins a political party during the parliamentary term, the seat will be vacated
Two of the three PNC members who spoke during Wednesday’s parliamentary debate opposed the proposal to require a constituency vote.
Majority Leader and Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falaah said a member should lose his seat upon leaving the party and that he did not support a return to the constituency for such a decision. “I believe [after losing the seat] I should go to Inguraidhoo again and contest. If I lose my seat, I should contest again,” he said.
Falaah also said a party has the right to expel a member if the member’s conduct is unacceptable. “If the party that elected you does not like the service or sees unfaithfulness, there is no problem with expulsion,” he said.
Feydhoo South MP Ibrahim Didi also opposed the proposed amendment. He said he supported the current framework in which changing parties leads to automatic loss of the seat. “I don’t support it… even if Baarah MP [Shujau] proposes it, I don’t support it,” he said. “I will support it as it is now. If you lose your seat, you lose it.”
However, both MPs supported a separate constitutional amendment to abolish the Atoll Council.
Earlier, opposition MDP MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem had proposed the use of a secret vote in cases of expulsion. The motion was rejected by 77 PNC members.
