Ilyas Proposes to Fix Number of Parliament Members to 76

MP Ilyas Labeeb proposed a constitutional amendment to the Parliament, aiming to address the composition of legislative members and secure representation for women by reserving seats, while maintaining a fixed total of 76 parliamentary members.

Currently, Article 71 of the Constitution dictates the allocation of parliamentary seats based on population figures. 

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For every 5,000 registered individuals in an administrative constituency, two members are appointed. However, if an administrative district surpasses the 5,000-population threshold, it is entitled to one additional member for every subsequent 5,000 residents. 

This system has resulted in a variable number of MPs representing different regions, with some constituencies electing multiple members.

The Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has confirmed that 93 members will be elected for the 20th Parliament following the upcoming elections.

Ilyas’s proposed constitutional amendment suggests a fixed number of 76 members in the Parliament. Under this proposal, 55 members would represent administrative constituencies.

Additionally, the amendment includes provisions for two members to represent individuals with disabilities. 

Furthermore, it mandates that 11 members be appointed by political parties in proportion to the votes received by each party. Notably, eight female members of parliament would be elected to represent constituencies across the country.

One of the primary motivations behind this proposed amendment is to curb the increasing budgetary expenditures associated with a growing number of parliamentarians.