Nine PNC members have lost their parliamentary seats; case to be filed with Supreme Court next week: Ali Hussain
Legal professional Ali Hussain has announced plans to file a case with the Supreme Court seeking to vacate the seats of nine parliamentarians who joined the People's National Congress (PNC) after being elected as independent members. The challenge is based on a recent constitutional amendment mandating that members lose their seats for switching parties, a provision the court previously ruled applicable to the 20th People’s Majlis. While only two independent members currently remain in the legislature, all other members originally elected as independents have since defected to the ruling party.
Attorney at Law Ali Hussain. | RaajjeMV
Former Member of Parliament and legal expert Ali Hussain has announced that a case will be filed with the Supreme Court next week, seeking a ruling to vacate the seats of MPs who joined the ruling PNC after being elected as independent candidates.
Former Member of Parliament Ali Hussain stated in a post on X that approximately six current members of the People's Majlis have lost their seats. These members include those who contested and won as independent candidates but subsequently joined the People's National Congress (PNC) either before or after the current parliamentary term commenced. He further noted that the necessary legal groundwork has already begun to file a case regarding this matter with the Supreme Court.
Speaking to RaajjeMV regarding the matter, Ali Hussain stated that the Supreme Court has ruled that the constitutional amendment mandating the loss of seats for members who switch parties applies to the current parliament as well. Consequently, he noted that any member elected as an independent who subsequently joins a political party will forfeit their seat.
In a ruling issued on April 29, the Supreme Court declared that the constitutional amendment mandating that members lose their seats for switching political parties is applicable to the 20th People’s Majlis. The court noted that while laws passed by parliament are generally prospective, there is no rigid legal principle preventing civil laws from being applied retroactively under established rules of interpretation. Consequently, the court ruled that the 6th Amendment to the Constitution shall apply to the current parliamentary term.
The nine members who successfully contested the 20th People’s Majlis elections as independent candidates and have since joined the People’s National Congress (PNC) are:
1. Yameen Abdulla, Member of Parliament for the Naifaru constituency
2. Azim Abdul Azeez, Member of Parliament for the Vilingili constituency.
3. Mohamed Rasheed, Member of Parliament for the Nolhivaram constituency.
4. Mohamed Shamin Habeeb, Member of Parliament for the Kurendhoo Constituency
5. Mohamed Alsan Ahmed, Member of Parliament for the Thinadhoo South constituency.
6. Anara Naeem, Member of Parliament for the Huraa Constituency
7. Member of Parliament for the Thimarafushi constituency, Ahmed Riyaz.
8. Ahmed Zameer, Member of Parliament for the Machangolhi Medhu constituency
9. Hassan Zareer, Member of Parliament for the Mathiveri Constituency.
According to information available on the People’s Majlis website, only two independent members currently remain in Parliament. These members are Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, representing the Thulhaadhoo constituency, and Abdurrahman, representing the Addu Meedhoo constituency. Aside from these two, all other members who were originally elected as independents have since defected to President Muizzu’s People’s National Congress (PNC).
