The People's National Congress (PNC) parliamentary group leader Ibrahim Falah and some other ruling party lawmakers have expressed their disapproval of the government's proposal to change the provision that disqualifies MPs if expelled from a political party.
The bill was proposed by Baarashu MP Ibrahim Sujau on behalf of the government. It states that an MP will lose his seat if expelled from a political party and the people of his constituency decide to remove him from office in a referendum vote.
Feydhoo MP Ibrahim Didi (IB) said an MP elected on a political party ticket must complete the term with that party.
"I don't support it. I don't support it even if it is sent by the government and the Baarashu MP proposed it. I will support keeping the provision as it is now," he said.
Funadhoo MP Mohamed Mamdhooh spoke about the expenses of holding a referendum to see if an MP has lost his seat.
"When we bring this amendment in this way, what happens is that every year we have to go to vote again. We have to hold constituency referendums. Even if we do it with time, there will be huge expenses," Mamdhooh said.
With the constitutional amendment approved in November last year, a by-election is required even if a party expels a lawmaker.
PNC's parliamentary group leader and Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah said candidates for parliament, councils and even the presidency contest on the tickets of political parties by selling their policies.
"The truth is. I don't believe that we are coming here to put our own interests first. That is not the mindset of any of our honorable MPs," he claimed.
Falah supported the remarks made by Mamdhooh and said he preferred not to pass the amendment.
Ruling party MPs who spoke in support of the government's amendment included Shujau and Hithadhoo Central MP Ahmed Azan.
