EC proposes 2 atoll seats in parliament

The Election Commission (EC) has proposed to allocate two members to each atoll and distribute the remaining seats in proportion to the population.

Speaking at a meeting of the Independent Institutions Committee of Parliament on Monday to seek the views of the Election Commission on a resolution moved by Baarah MP Ibrahim Shujau on containing the number of MPs, EC president Fuad Thaufeeg said that it would provide more seats to the densely populated atolls.

For example, he said that after fixing the total number of members of parliament at 77, two seats for the city and two seats for each atoll would leave 35 seats remaining. Then every population will have enough seats.

“Let’s look at 2029, for example, where Haa Alifu atoll will get two more seats, four seats with reserved seats for the atoll. Male will get eight more seats, a total of 10 seats. Then in Addu, there will be a total of five seats, including the two reserved seats and three more seats,” Fuad explained.

He said then the number of members in parliament would be close to the number of members in 2008 and the number of seats in any constituency would not be reduced.

An additional benefit of the change, Fuad said, is that the constituencies will not be mixed up.

"If the cap is imposed like this, it will remain the same by 2050. Growth will be the same in all directions. So the seats will be retained in the atolls. It will make things easier for the people in the atolls, the members and even the state”, Fuad said.

The committee has already met with MDP and PNC over the issue. Both parties are in favour of retaining the number of MPs at a certain number.

The President has said that the Constitution will be amended to keep the number of members of Parliament at 77.