An emergency cabinet meeting was held at the President's Office this afternoon after the Supreme Court ruled that a petition to quash the constitutional amendment that disqualifies MPs for defection or expulsion from a political party can be heard by the court.
As per the general rule, cabinet meetings are held every Sunday. However, Adhadhu understands that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu cancelled a scheduled lunch with ruling party MPs after calling for an emergency cabinet meeting today.
The constitutional amendment rushed through the People's Majlis allows Muizzu to have full control over the ruling party MPs to prevent an impeachment vote and maintain his power.
With the new amendments, MPs will lose their seat if they defect from the political party under whose ticket they were elected, join a political party after being elected as an independent candidate, or voluntarily leave or are expelled from their political party while in office.
In his case submitted to the top court, former Kendhoo MP Ali Hussain argued that the amendment waw unconstitutional as it contravened the basic principles in Articles 4, 8, 5, 26, 75 and 90 of the Constitution.
Many legal experts and civil society organizations have expressed concern over the amendments rushed through the government-controlled Parliament. The constitution was changed within a few hours with the votes of 78 MPs.
