AG says anti-defection procedures bill to be tabled next week

Attorney General Ahmed Usham said on Wednesday that the government plans to submit a bill to Parliament next week setting out procedures for dismissing members of the People's Majlis from political parties under the recent constitutional amendment on anti-defection.

The amendment states that a member of Parliament will lose their seat if they are dismissed from the political party they represent, in accordance with procedures established by law.

During proceedings at the Supreme Court of the Maldives, lawyers representing the Attorney General’s Office stated that the law referred to in the constitutional provision has not yet been enacted. They also informed the court that the clause could only be implemented after the legislation is passed.

Speaking at a press conference held at the President's Office, Usham said the government delayed submitting the bill while a constitutional challenge to the amendment was pending before the Supreme Court.

“We delayed submitting the amendment because the case was pending in the Supreme Court. This was to ensure that any necessary adjustments to the law could be made based on the court's ruling. The Supreme Court has now ruled that the amendment to the Constitution is valid,” Usham said.

He added that drafting of the bill is nearing completion and expressed confidence that it would be submitted next week.

According to Usham, the procedures will be introduced through amendments to the Political Parties Act.

“The amendment to the Political Parties Act is being introduced to define the procedures through which a political party can dismiss a member of Parliament, as required under the anti-defection clause recently added to the Constitution,” he said.

Under the constitutional amendment, members of Parliament will lose their seats under four circumstances: