Additional bill submitted seeking to increase female MPs, reduce total number of MPs

A bill to amend the constitution was submitted to the Parliament on Monday which seeks to reduce the total number of MPs and increase the number of female MPs.

The first reading of the bill submitted by The Democrats’ parliamentary group leader, Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim was held on Tuesday’s parliamentary sitting. The bill proposes amendments to change the composition of the parliament to reduce the number of MPs.

In this regard, including an additional section after Article 71 (c) of the constitution is proposed in the bill which reads as follows;

• One MP for administrative constituencies comprising of a population of 6,000 to 12,000 people
• Two MPs for administrative constituencies comprising of a population of 12,000 to 18,000 people
• Three MPs for administrative constituencies comprising of a population of 18,000 to 24,000 people
• Four MPs for administrative constituencies comprising of a population of 24,000 to 36,000 people
• Five MPs for administrative constituencies comprising of a population of over 36,000 people

The bill also proposes the inclusion of sections (d) and (e) in Article 72 of the constituent to read:

• Allocating one of each 10 constituencies contested by political parties for women
• Stipulating the same in the Political Parties Act to ensure the implementation of this

The bill states MPs will be elected to the parliament in line with the amendment in the second parliamentary assembly which will be elected after the current parliamentary assembly although the bill Is passed, ratified and comes into force.

Earlier this month, Addu Meedhoo MP Rozaina Adam proposed an amendment to the constitution to allocate 33 percent of the seats in the parliament for women. The bill is supported by opposition MDP, which holds the majority in the parliament.

Hence, if the vote between The Democrats and MDP – two parties that have announced an alliance to work together in the parliament – is divided concerning these changes, it is unlikely the number of votes required to pass an amendment to the constitution will not be reached.

The Democrats has 13 MPs while MDP has 42 MPs.