MPs Debate Motion To Cap Parliament Size

Parlimament members from the ruling party today voiced their support for amending the Constitution to cap the total number of parliamentarians.

At the parliament session today, the debate centred around a motion submitted by Ibrahim Shujau aimed at limiting the number of parliamentary seats.

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Currently, two parliament constituencies are assigned to every 5000 citizens and if an island exceeds 5000, an additional constituency is assigned to every 5000 citizen.

Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Dhiggaru MP, Ahmed Nazim, highlighted the issue, stating that if the number of MPs remains uncapped, it would rise to 108 seats by 2029 and 115 by 2033 with population growth.

He noted that other countries facing similar challenges have adopted solutions, such as the cube root relationship formula, which would reduce the number of MPs in the Maldives to 73.

Nazim suggested that raising the representative threshold to 10,000 people would keep the number of MPs below 70 over the next 25 years. He emphasised the need for the Maldives to ‘accept our actual size’ and maintain sustainable parliamentary numbers.

North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) acknowledged that the population had grown significantly since the Constitution was established in 2008. He proposed increasing the threshold to 7,000 people per MP, which would reduce the number of parliamentarians to 72 and potentially save MVR 108 million from the State budget over five years.

Jumhooree Party Leader and Maamigili MP, Gasim Ibrahim, argued against the continuous increase in MP numbers and suggested establishing specific constituencies in the Constitution to provide a permanent solution. He opposed increasing the current 5,000 people threshold, predicting the need for further amendments as the population grows.

North Maafannu MP Mohamed Nazim of the Maldives National Party (MNP) supported the motion, citing the economic burden of a large parliament. He suggested reducing both parliamentary and council members, comparing the Maldives to other small island states like Mauritius, Seychelles, and Fiji, which have fewer MPs relative to their populations.

Despite consensus on capping MP numbers, opinions diverged on reducing salaries and privileges.

MP Mohamed Ibrahim highlighted the escalating cost of salaries and insurance for parliamentarians, questioning the benefits of these expenses to the public. He called for aligning MP salaries with those of other state institutions and limiting MPs to two consecutive terms.

He also noted that it is a conflict of interest for parliament members to set their own renumeration.

Conversely, MPs Shujau, Gasim, and Nazim opposed salary reductions, arguing that the current pay is commensurate with their responsibilities.

Shujau, however, opposed extending privileges to MPs after their terms, deeming it unreasonable for the State to support former MPs indefinitely. Gasim and Nazim disagreed, asserting that former MPs should retain certain privileges.