Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) Leader and Kaashidhoo MP, Abdulla Jabir has stated that the Maldives Parliament needs to have a total of 174 seats.

MP Jabir made the statement while debating a Bill on an amendment to the Constitution sponsored by Maamigili MP Qasim Ibrahim. The Billscalls to solidify the current 87 seats of the parliament as permanent seats, without room for any further additions.

According to the MP, a referendum needs to be taken in order to decide on the outcome of the Bill.

He further went on to state that he does not support this amendment, stating that it was proposed by Qasim potentially due to the two seats that belong to Maamigili Constituency.

MP Jabir described the amendment as a backward step in democracy, stressing that it will potentially leave some constituencies underrepresented in the parliament.

He explained the reasoning behind the number of seats being 174 by stating that the actual population of Maldives is around 1.5 million, although official figures put it around the 500,000 mark.

Noting the low attendance rate with 87 members, MP Jabir also added that the Parliament will not be able to operate properly if the number of seats is capped at 87.