The Parliament has passed significant constitutional amendments with 78 out of 91 members voting in favour and 13 against. The amendments, proposed by Parliamentarian Mohamed Shahidh on behalf of the government, introduce measures to enhance political accountability, safeguard national sovereignty, and protect maritime interests. Among the amendments, a key provision mandates that members of Parliament will lose their seats if they switch political parties, are expelled, or, in the case of independents, join a political party during their term. These changes aim to reinforce party loyalty and curb defections during the parliamentary term. Another major amendment requires parliamentary approval for any foreign military presence in the Maldives, limiting foreign troops to military exercises unless explicitly permitted by Parliament. This aligns with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s commitment to remove foreign military forces from the Maldives, as demonstrated by the redeployment of Indian military personnel in May 2024. Additionally, the amendments strengthen safeguards over the Maldives’ maritime territories. Any changes to the nation’s maritime zones—including the Inland Sea and the Special Economic Zone (SEZ), must now be approved by a three-fourths majority in Parliament. This measure is intended to prevent unilateral government decisions that could jeopardise the country’s maritime boundaries, addressing concerns raised over territory lost under the previous MDP administration. These constitutional amendments mark a significant step towards enhancing governance, ensuring sovereignty, and protecting national resources.
