PNC says anti‑defection amendment helps fix long‑standing issues in Maldives’ political arena

The ruling main party PNC on Wednesday said that constitutional changes such as the seat‑loss amendment are “paving the way” to overcome the undesirable things seen in the political arena.

The party’s remarks come as the Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that there is no space to invalidate the constitutional amendment that makes MPs lose their seats if they change their party or are expelled from the party.

This was filed in the Supreme Court last year.

The Chief Justice submitted that there was no rule to declare the amendment invalid and there was no basis to declare the amendment inapplicable to the 20th Parliament.

Welcoming the Supreme Court verdict, the PNC said in a statement on Wednesday that the court made important points in its decision that the anti‑defection or party‑change ban is applicable in democratic countries around the world. The PNC also noted that similar rules are implemented in countries with presidential constitutions such as the Maldives.

At the same time, the Supreme Court has described the ban on MPs changing their party as a way to maintain the sovereignty of Parliament and strengthen the political party system. The PNC also said the ban would not violate any right guaranteed by the Constitution.

ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހުގެ މެންބަރުން ޕާޓީ ބަދަލުކުރުން ހުއްޓުވަން ޤާނޫނުއަސާސީއަށް ގެނައި އިސްލާހު ނެގެހެއްޓުމަށް ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ސުޕްރީމް ކޯޓުން ނިންމެވި ނިންމެވުމަށް މަރުހަބާ ދަންނަވާ ނެރޭ ނޫސް ބަޔާން.#PressBriefing#DhiveheengeRaajje #CongressPartyMV pic.twitter.com/36ENA9dZ4V

— PNC Secretariat (@pnc_secretariat) April 29, 2026

Further, the judgment stated that the amendment, which provides for the constitutional structure of MPs to hold office during their term, ensures that the basis of the electoral mandate of MPs will not be altered or diminished.

The Supreme Court noted that the ban on switching parties across the floor is being followed in other democratic societies to further strengthen the integrity of people’s representatives and enhance their accountability to the people, the PNC said.

In light of the facts stated in the judgment, the PNC said it was sure that the amendment proposed by the government and introduced by the party‑majority 20th Parliament was in good faith to further strengthen the political system, free it from corruption and enhance the integrity of the legislature.

The purpose of the change is to pave the way for the country to overcome the undesirable things that have been happening in the political arena since the introduction of a multi‑party democratic system.

“The President of the country and the President of this party, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, intends to correct such deficiencies in the political system of Maldives and ensure the fundamental rights and freedoms of all the people,” the PNC statement said. The PNC said it would continue to act in accordance with the principles of democracy and in the best interest of the people of Maldives.