Former Vice President of the Election Commission (EC) Ismail Habib has said that the six candidates who contested and won the parliamentary elections as independents and then signed up for the ruling PNC will not lose their seats.

Six independent candidates who contested and won the election signed on to the PNC at a function held at Muliaage last night:

  • Dr. Anara Nayeem – Hura Constituency
  • Hassan Zareer – Mathiveri Constituency
  • Ahmed Zameer – Mahchangoalhi Medhu Constituency
  • Ahmed Riyaz – Thimarafushi Constituency
  • Yasin Abdulla - Naifaru constituency
  • Azim Abdul Aziz – Villingili Constituency

The six candidates had contested the elections with the support of the government, five of whom were already under the PNC's ranks

Habib said in a post on X that though they had signed the PNC, the conditions laid down in Article 73 of the Constitution were not violated and the anti-defection law was also not violated.

"These six persons do not have any of the conditions mentioned in Article 72(c) of the Constitution. As section 3(b) of the Anti-Defection Act says that the term of the 20th Parliament is yet to begin, every elected member can join the party of their choice by May 28, 2024," Habib said.

Article 73 of the Constitution defines the terms and conditions of being a member of parliament.

Eligibility criteria for membership:

  • Being a citizen of the Maldives
  • Not holding citizenship of a foreign country
  • Being a Sunni Muslim
  • Attaining the age of eighteen years
  • Being an intellectually sound person

Habib further said that the right guaranteed by the Constitution cannot be taken away by law in violation of Articles 30, 59, 63, 69 and 73(b) of the Constitution.

The anti-defection bill passed by the opposition MDP has become an act after President Dr. Muizzu ratified it on April 16. If any of the five conditions in the act arise, the Election Commission shall inform the Parliament within seven days of delay. according to the law.

If an independently elected member becomes a member of any political party during the term in which he or she has been elected, he/she will have to resign, but if he or she signs up for a party before taking oath, it does not specify what should be done in that situation.