Transparency Maldives has responded to MP Ahmed Nihan’s statement on Tuesday that a survey conducted by the organizations shows 80 percent of Maldivians consider floor-crossing to be corruption.
The Progressive Party of Maldives’ parliamentary group leader said this at press conference over the Attorney General’s case with the Supreme Court pursuing to disqualify parliamentarians who switch parties or are dismissed from the one they are already aligned with.
MP @ahmed_nihan referred to our study at the PPM-MDA press conference quoting 80% of ppl see floorcrossing as an act connected to corruption
— Transparency MV (@TransparencyMV) July 11, 2017
Ultimately criminalising illicit enrichment, not anti-defection laws, is needed to stop corruption associated with floor crossing.
— Transparency MV (@TransparencyMV) July 11, 2017
Parliamentarians aligned with the government had declared their support for the case, describing it as an effective method of deterring corruption.
The case comes while the opposition has filed a motion of no-confidence against parliament speaker Abdulla Maseeh with 45 signatures. As per an amendment in April, such a motion requires 42 votes. If the Supreme Court decides in favour of the state, and such parliamentarians are disqualified – it would ensure that the motion fails.
25 parliamentarians face losing their seats if this happens.
