Ruling PNC has decided to propose a constitutional amendment requiring parliamentary approval for the presence of foreign military forces in the Maldives and for changes to the country's maritime boundaries.

The first reading of this amendment, proposed by MP Mohamed Shahid of Hulhudhoo constituency, has been scheduled for tomorrow's Majlis session. Additionally, the preliminary debate on the bill has also been included in the agenda.

The Bill proposed by Shahid is to amend various articles of the constitution. One of the amendments is to change Article 251 (c).

Article 251 (c) currently states that no part of the territory of the Maldives shall be given for any foreign party for military purposes except as approved by a majority of the total membership of the People's Majlis.

Shahid proposes that no part of the Maldivian territory shall be authorized for military use by any foreign party, whether under an agreement or otherwise, except as approved by a majority of the total membership of the People's Majlis.

The Bill also includes that, except for participation in military training exercises under agreements, no foreign military forces shall be allowed to operate in any form for military purposes in Maldivian territory without approval by a majority of the total membership of the People's Majlis.

Shahid's bill also proposes to amend Article 3 of the constitution. Currently, this article states that the territory of the Maldives comprises the land, air, sea and seabed within the archipelagic baselines of the Maldives drawn according to law, and includes the territorial waters, the seabed and air space thereof beyond the said baselines. It also states that any changes to the territory of the Maldives may only be made pursuant to a law enacted by at least a two-thirds majority of the total membership of the People's Majlis.

Shahid proposes to add two clauses to this article. The first clause (a) retains the current definition of Maldivian territory and the requirement for a two-thirds majority to change it.

The new clause (b) states that any changes to or any action that diminishes the Maldives' internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, and exclusive economic zone as defined by law can only be made through a law passed by at least a two-thirds majority of the total membership of the People's Majlis.