A majority of Maldivians believe that MPs elected on party tickets should lose their seats for changing parties, a survey conducted by the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) has shown.
The 'Parliament Election: Public Perception Survey' showed that 73 percent of the 1,174 people who took part in the survey believed that MPs should be disqualified for crossing the floor.
This included strong support from 47 percent and support for disqualification from 26 percent of respondents.
Allegations of corruption from journalists and political parties after many MPs from the 19th People's Majlis switched parties fostered the belief among the public, the HRCM report noted.
Moreover, 68 percent of respondents supported reducing the number of MPs with 27 percent satisfied with the current membership and four percent in favor of increasing the number of MPs.
The current composition of Parliament is based on electing one MP to represent a population of 5,000 people. Six constituencies were added for the upcoming parliamentary elections due to population growth.
