Ali Hussain: There must be designated MPs for Dhafthar

Kendhoo MP Ali Hussain says there must be designated MPs elected to represent constituents registered on the Male’ Dhafthar.

He made the remark on Monday, during the parliamentary debate on the bill submitted by Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb seeking to limit the number of MPs.

Ali Hussain said that while he believes in amending the constitution to limit MPs, there also needs to be additional amendments.

He said that all Maldivian citizens have the right to representation at the Parliament, except for over 15,000 people residing in Male’, who are registered on the Dhafthar.

“No one is talking about them at this parliament. No one is advocating for their rights. There are a group of people whose rights aren’t being advocated for at this parliament. These are the people on the Dhafthar,” he said.

Ali Hussain noted that while people registered on the Dhaftharu are distributed among the various electoral districts of Male’, they are ineligible for projects run for residents in Male’, including the recent project to issue land.

He also noted that people registered on the Dhanftharu have to vote from different electoral districts, every time electoral districts are re-drawn.

Ali Hussain said that he found this deeply concerning, and stressed the need for designated MPs to represent them.

“There must be permanent electoral districts. The EC is empowered to do this,” he said.

“There must be electoral districts designated, and MPs elected for them. For example, Dhafthar District 1, Dhafthar District 2…,” he said.

Ali Hussain said that it was something that must be addressed when talking about equality.

Several MPs expressed concern over the increase in parliamentary seats.

The next parliamentary assembly will have six additional seats, which will increase the number of MPs from 87 to 93.

The new districts are:

• Hithadhoo constituency (Hithadhoo, Maalhos, Dharavandhoo)
• Huraa constituency (Huraa, Hinmafushi, Gulhi)
• Kolamaafushi constituency (Kolamaafushi, Dhevvadhoo)
• North Feydhoo constituency (Feydhoo, Maradhoo-Feydhoo)
• Central Hulhumale’ constituency
• North Hulhumale’ constituency