The People's Majlis on Wednesday has passed a Bill to amend the Constitution so that Members of Parliament lose their seats if they change parties.

The Bill was passed in this evening's Majlis session with amendments as approved by the Committee of the Whole House. The Committee of the Whole House passed it with 75 out of 89 members present voting in favor. 13 members voted against passing the bill. These were all MDP members.

As soon as Majlis Speaker AbdulRaheem Abdulla presented the committee report on the bill for passage in the evening session, MDP parliament members began protesting.

The Bill was passed with 78 members voting in favor out of those who participated in the vote. 13 members voted against passing the Bill. Those who voted against were MDP members.

The Bill, aimed to be finalized today itself, was presented to today's Majlis session on behalf of the government by Mohamed Shahid, member for Hulhudhoo constituency.

The amendment proposed by Shahid states that if a person elected to the Majlis on behalf of a particular political party voluntarily leaves that party, is expelled from the party, or becomes a member of another political party during their elected term, they will be removed from their Majlis membership.

The Bill also states that a member will lose their seat if they voluntarily leave or are expelled from the political party they currently represent, or if they join another party.

Additionally, the Bill proposed by Shahid states that if an independent member elected to the Majlis joins a political party, they will also lose their seat.

The Bill also proposes that in addition to losing seats for changing parties, the Majlis's approval must be sought if foreign troops are to be stationed in the Maldives or if changes are to be made to the Maldives' maritime zones and exclusive economic zone.

The Constitution currently states that any changes to the Maldives' territory can only be made through a law passed by at least a two-thirds majority of the total Majlis membership. However, an additional clause states that anything that diminishes the Maldives' exclusive economic zone can only be done through a law passed by at least a two-thirds majority of Majlis members.

However, the Committee of the Whole House has amended these two clauses. The amendment proposed by Ibrahim Shujau, member for Baarah constituency, and seconded by Abdul Latheef Mohamed, member for Dhidhdhoo constituency, states that these changes can only be made through a law passed by at least a three-quarters majority of Majlis members.

In addition to Shujau, Meekail Ahmed Naseem, member for Galolhu South constituency, also proposed amendments to the Bill at the committee stage.

Meekail proposed consulting relevant parties before passing this Bill and removing the clause that causes Majlis members to lose their seats for changing parties. He also proposed adding different circumstances under which membership would be lost.

These include a party member elected as such voluntarily leaving the party, changing to another party, and an independent member joining a political party.

He also proposed that if a member is expelled from their party according to its constitution for voting against the party's decision, they can be removed from their position by a majority of people in their constituency.

He further proposed that if a certain percentage of constituents sign a petition to remove a member and submit it to the Majlis, the relevant committee can study it and decide to hold a general vote, with the member being removed if a majority votes for it. However, when his first amendment didn't pass, the committee chair decided not to vote on his remaining amendments.

The Bill also proposes including formulating short-term, medium-term and long-term national development plans and visions among the President's powers and responsibilities.

Shahid proposed changing the article stating that no part of the Maldives territory can be given to a foreign party for military purposes without approval by a majority of total Majlis members. The new wording states that no part of Maldives territory can be allowed to be used for military purposes by a foreign party, whether through an agreement or otherwise, without approval by a majority of total Majlis members.

The Bill also includes that, except for participating in military trainings held under agreements, foreign troops cannot be allowed to actively operate in any form in Maldives territory for military purposes without approval by a majority of total Majlis members.