Former President and Chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Mohamed Nasheed, has claimed that lawmakers of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) in Parliament have surrendered all their autonomy to President Mohamed Muizzu, a decision he says they now regret.
Nasheed, who also served as the Speaker of the 19th Parliament, said that after consolidating control over lawmakers, the government is now moving to strip powers from local councilors by amending the Decentralization Act. The Decentralization Act was ratified during Nasheed’s presidency.
"PNC members of Parliament sit there having voluntarily surrendered their own powers and handed all authority to President Muizzu. Today, those members regret it. This time, the same fate is awaiting PNC councillors," Nasheed said in a post on X.
Nasheed expressed hope that PNC councillors would join the MDP in protesting against the proposed legal changes that threaten to diminish the authority of local councils.
The constitutional amendment stipulating that a Member of Parliament would lose their seat if they resign, are expelled, or switch political parties was enacted in 2024. A legal challenge was filed in the Supreme Court seeking to nullify the amendment.
While the apex court was reviewing the case, three judges were suspended. Two of the suspended judges were later removed from office, while one resigned due to government influence. On April 29, a majority of six out of seven Supreme Court justices ruled that there were no grounds to invalidate the amendment.
The court also addressed the plaintiff's argument that the constitutional amendment should not apply retroactively to sitting members of the current Parliament. The Supreme Court ruled that the amendment is enforceable against the incumbent members.
Justice Aisha Shujune Muhammad issued a dissenting opinion on the matter. She argued that the constitutional amendment should be struck down, asserting that the change was unconstitutional.
"This is a situation where the rules of the game were changed mid-play, without notice, consultation, or discussion, while the citizens were already playing by an established set of rules," she stated.
