Multiple political parties have expressed support to reduce the number of MP's in the Parliament.

The parties made the announcement at today's session to debate MP Ibrahim Shujau's motion to reduce the number of members in the Parliament.

The parties that supported the motion include The Democrats, Adhaalath Party, Maldives Reform Movement (MRM), Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) and Maldives National Party (MNP).

MDP had previously supported the reduction of MPs in the Parliament, but said the Party's stand on the issue will be submitted to the committee after the discussions with the party.

During today's meeting, VP of The Democrats, Aishath Alaika Adnan said that designating slots for parties in the Parliament will secure party representation.

Adhaalath Party Registrar Adam Mohamed said the party was in favour of reducing the number of lawmakers as a rule.

However, this has to be done in a sustainable manner so that there is no need to change the constitution in the east, he said, adding that every 1,000 people can be declared members for review every 10 years.

MRM President Farish Maumoon said that he supports reducing the number of members of parliament, one being that the expenditure to hold parliament and elections is not adequate. As of now, it is not right to have a member for every 5,000 people and the integrity of the elections is lost due to the presence of members belonging to smaller populations.

He said that since there are constituencies where seats can be won by 200 or 300 votes, they win elections by doing caste things to some senior members of the big families belonging to these constituencies more than members who vote on the basis of a manifesto or policy in principle. This is against the spirit of democracy and is easily corrupt.

Both the MDA and MNP today supported the reduction in the number of MPs.