President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has said he supports the anti-defection bill proposed by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) although 13 MDP MPs joined his People's National Congress (PNC) after he assumed office.
In an interview with Sangu TV yesterday, the President said the right thing to do is to remain in the party, but the MPs that left MDP did so due to acceptable reasons.
“We have MPs who changed from MDP. They changed for very legitimate reasons. But as a principle, I believe the best way is to stay in the elected party,” he said.
The President said that membership of parliament is obtained by selling certain policies on the ticket of a particular party.
"The most ideal way is to stay in the party. That's the social contract with the people. So as a principle, I support the [anti-defection] bill," he said.
The Parliament committee passed the anti-defection bill on March 27. But the bill still needs to be approved by the Parliament floor.
According to the anti-defection bill, MPs who won on party ticket must resign from their seat if they decide to leave the party.
If an MP is expelled from the party, the Elections Commission (EC) must take a vote in their constituency to see if the people wish to have them as the MP.
