Six Independent Maldivian MPs Join Ruling Party, Securing Super Majority

Six independent candidates who were elected to the Maldivian parliament in the recent elections have officially joined the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) party. The move comes after the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) majority parliament passed an anti-defection bill on April 1, which stipulates that parliamentarians will lose their seat for floor crossing.

The six new PNC members are Dr. Anara Naeem, Hassan Zareer, Ahmed Zameer, Ahmed Riyaz, Yasin Abdulla, and Azim Abdul Azeez. Their addition brings the total number of PNC seats to 72 in the 93-seat parliament, granting the party a super majority that allows them to make changes to the Constitution.

Former Vice President of the Elections Commission, Ismail Habeeb, has raised questions about the implications of the recently ratified Anti-Defection Act in cases where members join a party before taking office. It remains unclear how the law applies to such situations.

Why this matters: The PNC's super majority in parliament further consolidates President Mohamed Muizzu's power and will give the party control over both lawmaking and the legislature. This development is seen as a strong endorsement of Muizzu's pro-Beijing foreign policy.

The PNC had endorsed several independent candidates over those contesting on the party's ticket in the parliamentary elections. With the six MP elects who signed on Tuesday, the PNC-led coalition now has 78 seats in parliament. The new lawmakers will be sworn in on May 28.

Maldivian parliament member Habeeb's claim about the six members planning to join a new political party has been confirmed by their official signing with the PNC. The ruling party's strengthened position in parliament raises questions about the application of the anti-defection law and the future direction of Maldivian politics under President Muizzu's leadership.

Key Takeaways

• 6 independent Maldivian MPs joined ruling PNC party, giving it a super majority.
• PNC's super majority allows it to make changes to the constitution.
• The move is seen as an endorsement of President Muizzu's pro-Beijing foreign policy.
• The anti-defection law's application to MPs joining a party before taking office is unclear.
• The strengthened PNC position raises questions about the future direction of Maldivian politics.