Some MPs express support of anti-defection law
The Anti-Defection Act was passed in parliament on March 13 and was ratified by the president the next day
Photo of parliament in session
Some MPs have expressed support of a law that unseats any lawmaker for switching or leaving the party that helped get them elected.
The Anti-Defection Act was passed in parliament on March 13 and was ratified by the president the next day.
Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem has expressed support of the law and recommends making amendments instead of removing it outright.
While the Anti-Defection Act states that MPs will be unseated if their party’s disciplinary committee dismisses them, MP Saleem said that a party’s disciplinary committee should not be able to dismiss a member so easily and so focus should be placed on solving these issues.
Gan MP Fayyaz Ismail also said he supports an anti-defection law but that it should come after amendments to the constitution. He recommends a re-election if the MP resigns from the party and for the lawmaker to remain in parliament as an independent member if he is dismissed from his party.
Vilufushi MP Riyaz Rasheed has submitted a motion to nullify the Anti-Defection Act, saying that it hinders the work of parliamentarians which in turn obstructs the rights of their constituents.
