Political parties have refused to accept the revisions to the political party regulations by Elections Commissions (EC) to reserve a 33% quota of party positions for women.

The revisions submitted by EC are currently being examined by the Committee on Independent Institutions. As such, political parties were summoned to the Committee on Monday.

Speaking on the revision, opposition party PPM's Naifaru constituency MP Ahmed Shiyam stated that it would be an insult to women to reserve a quota for them.

"It would be an insult to reserve a 33% quota for women, it makes it seem like women in politics mean nothing. If this revision is truly about serving women, a higher quota should be set for them," Shiyam said.

MDP's member Ibrahim Waheed agreed with Shiyam's opinion, reiterating that setting a quota for women is unproductive. He added that the regulation can state that women should be given priority instead.

He further added that Women's Development Committee (WDC)'s have not been able to present a sufficient number of female candidates for the seats reserved for women.

"No party is able to match the quota given to them. WDC's have not been able to raise the numbers, therefore it is ill-advised to reserve a quota for women," Waheed said.

Jumhooree Party's Ali Arif stated that reserving a quota for women means curtailing their opportunities in politics. As such, Arif stated that JP is against reserving a quota for women and that women should have equal opportunities as men in politics.

VP of MNC and MP for Vilimale constituency, Ahmed Usham stated that it is not advisable to reserve a quota for women. Instead, political parties should create equal opportunities for women to run for seats instead, Usham said.

EC's Vice President, Ismail Habeeb supported the notion by the political parties, stating that gender equality should be the focus instead of a specific quota reserved for women.