The Maldives National Party (MNP) has lost its parliamentary representation following the resignation of its member, Vilimale’ MP Ahmed Usham, who recently assumed the role of Attorney General in the new government.
This development has reduced MNP’s representation in parliament to two members, subsequently leading Parliament Speaker Mohamed Aslam to declare the party’s loss of status, based on the parliamentary regulation requiring a minimum of three members for party representation.
The remaining MPs from MNP, Thimarafushi MP Abdulla Riyaz and Dhangethi MP Mohamed Nazim, initially elected on Jumhooree Party (JP) tickets, will now be regarded as independents in the parliament’s registry. This decision is grounded in Article 33 of the parliament’s rules, which stipulates the criteria for party representation.
The declaration has sparked controversy, with Riyaz challenging the Speaker’s decision as unlawful and contradictory to the Constitution. Riyaz argues that the decision violates Articles 16, 17, and 30 of the Constitution, which cover the guarantee of rights, non-discrimination, and freedom to form political parties, respectively. He contends that while the Elections Commission recognises him as an MNP member, the parliament’s refusal to do so is unconstitutional.
Despite these objections, the Speaker of the Parliament has upheld the decision, maintaining that the MNP no longer fulfils the requirements for parliamentary representation. The updated parliament registry reflects this change, showing the MNP’s absence and the reclassification of Riyaz and Nazim as independent MPs.