Six independent MPs join Maldives ruling party to hand supermajority
With the JP, MDA and MNP seats, the number of pro-government members will rise to 76.
By
Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim
Six independents who won seats in Sunday’s parliamentary elections have joined the ruling party, People’s National Congress (PNC) to hand it parliament supermajority.
The six signed for the PNC in the presence of President Mohammed Muizzu at Muliaage, the official residence of the President on Tuesday. The event was attended by the President, as well as the Cabinet Ministers.
The names of the signatories were revealed in a post on PNC’s X.
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1-
Huraa Constituency MP Dr Annaara Naeem
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2-
Mathiveri Constituency MP Hassan Zareer
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3-
Mahchangolhi Central Constituency MP Ahmed Zameer
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4-
Thimarafushi Constituency MP Ahmed Riyaz
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5-
Naifaru Constituency MP Yaseen Abdullah
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6-
Villingili Constituency MP Azim Abdul Azeez
It is noteworthy that all but two of these six candidates (from Naifaru and Villingili constituencies) contested independently but had the support of the government. Yaseen and Azim were not supported by the government then.
With the six signing up for PNC, the party now commands 72 members in the 20th parliament, an undeniable supermajority. With JP, MDA and MNP seats, the number of pro-government members will rise to 76.
The total number of member seats in the Majlis is 93.
