The bill for constitutional amendments proposed by the government, which had its first reading on Wednesday morning, was passed on Wednesday evening.

The bill was passed by the parliament, which is under the full control of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, while the main-opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) was protesting on the parliament floor.

78 members voted in favor of the government's proposed constitutional amendments, while 13 members voted against it.

MDP lawmakers and the independent MP for Addu Meedhoo constituency Abdul Rahman voted against the bill during Wednesday’s vote.

The constitutional amendments proposed by the government include provisions for lawmakers to lose their seats if they change parties, are expelled from their party, or join another party; stipulating that part of the Maldivian territory can only be ceded with the approval of the People’s Majlis; and specifying in the constitution that foreign military personnel can only be stationed in the Maldives with parliamentary approval.

The bill, introduced by MP for Hulhudhoo constituency Mohamed Shahid, was accepted by the parliament in the morning session on Wednesday and sent to the Whole House Committee for review. In the vote taken at the Committee meeting, 75 out of 89 MPs present voted to pass the bill. 13 members voted against passing the bill.

As the Muizzu administration attempted to make hurried major changes to the Constitution without any public consultation, opposition members and supporters had gathered in the area around the People's Majlis on Wednesday afternoon to protest and raise their voices "in defense of the constitution”.