Parliament has passed a constitutional amendment that will cause MPs to lose their seats if they switch political parties or are expelled from their parties.

The first reading of the bill proposed by Hulhudhoo MP Mohamed Shahid was heard at 9:00 am today. The preliminary debate and committee work ended at 2:30 pm.

The constitutional amendment was passed with 78 votes in favour while 13 MPs - 12 from the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and independent MP Abdul Rahman from Meedhoo constituency - voted against the bill.

Article 261 of the Constitution states the Constitution may be amended by a Bill passed by a three-quarters majority of the total membership of the People's Majlis. This means the Constitution can be changed with the votes of 70 MPs.

The bill proposed five main amendments to the Constitution;

MPs can lose their seats

The amendment includes two new circumstances in which MPs can lose their seats.

These include switching parties during the elected term, expulsion from the party or an independent MP joining a political party.

President gets more authority

The bill also proposes to add an Article to the powers granted to the President under the Constitution.

With the new Article, the President gets the authority to determine the main policies of the state, communicate those policies to the relevant government agencies and institutions, provide necessary guidance and formulate national development plans and visions.

Changing the territory of Maldives

The bill was introduced to state that a two-thirds majority vote in the Parliament is needed to change the territory of Maldives.

But Baarashu MP Ibrahim Shujau proposed an amendment to change it to three-quarters of the total number of MPs. His proposal was approved.

Presence of foreign troops for military purposes

With the new Article added to the Constitution, foreign troops can be stationed and deployed in Maldives for military purposes only with a majority approval of Parliament.

However, foreign troops can be active in the Maldives for non-military activities and for training under agreements without seeking Parliament approval.

Referendum should be held to amend Article that requires referendum

The Constitution currently states that a referendum must be held to change the Articles on the Fundamental Rights Chapter of the Constitution, to change the term of the Parliament and President and to change the Article on the process of electing the President.

As it stands now, the Article that requires a referendum for these changes can be changed without a public referendum. But with the amendment, this can only be changed through a public referendum.