The motion to repeal Maldives’ controversial anti-defection law has been ratified, the President’s Office said on Tuesday.

The motion was submitted by pro-government MP Riyaz Rasheed, who represents the Vilufushi constituency.

Riyaz said in his allocated time introducing the bill, that voting to bring the anti-defection law was a mistake and that proposing to repeal it is what his constituents expect of him.

It passed on 2nd November by votes from 37 members, the range of whom include independent members, those aligned with the ruling party, and the Joint Opposition. 17 votes against, and five abstained.

The law was passed in March this year, in a sitting carried out without a quorum, with only 39 of the 85-seat house present. 

The anti-defection law has been used to legitimize the unseating of 12 lawmakers. The bill proposing the law was introduced and passed in an expedited sitting by only members aligned with President Abdulla Yameen’s party. 

The law was given authority by a Supreme Court ruling in July last year, the result of a case prompted by the Attorney General’s Office, held by Attorney General Mohamed Anil, a keen endorser of President Yameen’s policies.