President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has tonight ratified the amendment to the Constitution that causes Members of Parliament to lose their seats if they change parties.

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. It was then studied by the Committee of the Whole House.

The bill was passed in this evening's Majlis session with amendments as approved by the Committee of the Whole House. 78 members voted in favor of passing the bill out of those who participated in the vote, while 13 members voted against. These were 12 MDP members and the independent member for Addu Meedhoo constituency, Abdulrahman.

Upon the President's ratification, the bill has now been published in the Government Gazette. However, no news about this has yet been posted on the President's Office website.

The amendment passed by the People's Majlis today 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.