The bill proposing to cap the number of parliament seats to 85 has been rejected at Tuesday’s sitting.

The bill, submitted by Nilandhoo MP Dr. Abdulla Khaleel, proposed to amend article 71 of the Constitution concerned with the composition of the parliament.

Highlighting that the number of seats has been 85 since 2014, MP Khaleel said that adding more seats would bring negative effects to the economy and undermine the separation of powers.

The Elections Commission has announced that they will be adding two constituencies for Male’ in the next parliament election. The additional seats will be for Central Mahchangolhi constituency and West Henveiru constituency.