The parliament committee has approved the anti-defection bill on Monday night.

According to the Anti-Defection Bill, MPs elected on political party tickets will lose their seat if they leave their party, get expelled, or switch parties.

Addu Meedhoo MP Rozaina Adam said the bill would take effect from 13 July 2017, which would mean that the 12 MPs that switched to the opposition last year would lose their seats.

The bill was accepted into parliament on Monday with 35 votes. Opposition MPs have continued to boycott the sittings.

The bill was proposed by MP Ahmed Nihan, the parliamentary group leader of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). A three-line whip was issued by the government coalition for Monday’s sitting without any discussion with MPs.