Committee revises Constitution to limit Majlis membership to 85

People’s Majlis Committee on Independent Institutions has revised the Constitution to limit the total membership of People’s Majlis to 85 people.

Committee made the decision after evaluating a bill sent by Kudahuvadhoo MP Ahmed Amir two years back.

MP Amir proposed to amend Article 71 of the Constitution so that the People’s Majlis members – including administrative and elected officials – are limited to 85 people.

Amir also proposed to amend the Constitution so that only one lawmaker is elected to represent each constituency.

Article 71 of Constitution currently prescribes one lawmaker to represent each constituency with a population of or lower than 5,000 people, and an additional lawmaker for every 5,000 people from the same constituency.

Amir said that he was concerned the number of representatives at the People’s Majlis may increase to a worrisome number as the population increases.

He said that he did not believe Majlis membership exceeding 85 members to be the most democratic method.

Committee has backed the bill, and sent it to the Majlis floor for vote.