Parliament rejects seat cap bill
The amendment, which was also supported by parliament speaker and former President Mohamed Nasheed, was rejected with 25 votes
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By
Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim
Parliament on Tuesday dismissed a proposal by MP Gasim Ibrahim from the ruling coalition's Jumhooree Party (JP) to cap the number of parliamentary seats at 87.
After concluding the preliminary debate on the bill, the parliament voted on accepting the bill. The bill was dismissed unanimously by the members who took part in the vote.
The amendment, which was also supported by parliament speaker and former President Mohamed Nasheed, was rejected with 25 votes. Seven MPs voted to accept the bill:
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South Thinadhoo MP Ahmed Saneef (MDP)
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Isdhoo MP Ali Hameed (JP)
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Kendhoo MP Ali Hussain (JP)
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Dhangethi MP Ahmed Nazim (MNP)
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Thimarafushi MP Abdulla Riyaz (MNP)
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Felidhoo MP Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed (PNC)
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Thulusdhoo MP Ibrahim Naseem (Independent)
Faresmaathodaa MP Hussain Latheef abstained.
After the first reading of the bill in parliament last month, Nasheed had voiced his support for the bill. President Solih, who is the party's senior leader, also announced his support for the bill last week.
According to the constitution, the population of every 5,000 people is a separate administrative region. The number of MPs has been increasing with each term:
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17th parliament - 77 members
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18th parliament - 85 members
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19th parliament - 87 members
