Supporters of the ruling Progressive National Congress (PNC) and opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) gathered near Parliament on Wednesday, staging protests over a hastily introduced constitutional amendment aimed at preventing MPs from switching political parties.
PNC members rallied in support of the amendment, demanding its immediate passage, while MDP supporters called for its withdrawal. Police cordoned off the roads surrounding Parliament and the Presidential Office, with a heavy security presence reported in the area.
Parliament is scheduled to hold a special evening session to vote on the amendment, departing from its usual practice of afternoon voting. The accelerated timeline has drawn criticism from opposition leaders and political analysts, who argue the rushed process undermines democratic norms.
The amendment, introduced by the Muizzu government late Tuesday night, aims to prevent MPs from switching parties and mandates the forfeiture of parliamentary seats if a party removes an MP from its registry. The move coincides with a High Court case challenging a key provision of the Anti-Defection Act and rumours of defections within the PNC.
President Mohamed Muizzu announced the proposal during a meeting at Muliaage on Tuesday, attended by PNC MPs and ministers. Although some members expressed reservations, most refrained from openly opposing the amendment.
Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla defended the proposal, stating it aims to counter the influence of powerful business figures in politics. Critics, however, view the rushed nature of the amendment as an attempt to secure the PNC’s supermajority amid fears of political instability.
