EC proposes parliament composition changes

The Elections Commission (EC) on Monday, has advised changes to the parliamentary composition.

The commission on Monday advised to lower than total number of constituents to 77 by electing two MPs to each atoll. Maldives has 20 administrative atolls.

The resolution proposing a drop in constituencies was submitted to the parliament by Baarah MP and the People's National Congress's (PNC) parliamentary group's senior deputy leader, Ibrahim Shujau.

Following debate on the resolution is now at committee stage pending reviewal.

The relevant committee has begun discussions with stakeholder bodies and relevant authorities for professional opinion.

At Monday's parliament sitting, EC members were summoned to the Independent Institutions' Committee.

During this meeting, EC President Fuad Thowfeek noted the growing number of MPs with each progressive parliamentary assembly, which has now led to changes to constituencies.

The EC said the best course of action would be to lower the number of MPs to 77 and elect two lawmakers from each atoll, with the rest of the seats distributed based on the population.

"What we have suggested is to elect two MPs per atoll. For instance, when two MPs are elected to Male' and the rest of the atolls, the composition would be 42 seats. The remaining 35 seats will be allocated to the atolls based on their population," Fuad said.

He suggested that this composition would eliminate the need to revise the constituencies until 2050. Fuad said that with this decision, EC prefers the number of seats to remain capped at 77.

Despite the suggestion, Fuad said EC had no issues with any decision the parliament arrives at.

"When we look at all of these formulae, the composition is always maintained at 72–80, and since it is also the internationally accepted standard, we thought we would suggest it," Fuad added.

Parliament's Deputy Speaker and Dhiggaru MP Ahmed Nazim proposed revising the number of constituents per MP from 5,000 to 10,000.

If parliament approves this preposition, the composition will be maintained at 71 seats while the total number of seats will remain at an average of 70 for the next 25 years, Nazim added.

The majority of ruling People's National Congress (PNC) MPs sitting in parliament had favored Nazim's suggestion and further endorsed Shujau's resolution.

Besides the MPs, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu also announced his support for the resolution.

Article 71(a) of the Maldives Constitution stipulates that two members for the first five thousand residents registered for each administrative division, or two members for administrative divisions with less than five thousand residents, and one additional member for each group of five thousand residents in excess of the first five thousand should be elected.

A total of 77 members were elected for the 17th parliamentary assembly, which rose to 85 members at the 18th assembly and then rose to 87 MPs in the following assembly.

A total of 93 members sit in the current 20th parliamentary assembly.