MNP loses representation in parliament following reduction in MPs

Maldives National Party (MNP) has lost representation in the parliament following the resignation of Vilimale’ MP Ahmed Usham from his post as a parliamentarian.

Usham resigned after he was appointed attorney general in the new administration.

The remaining MNP representatives in the parliament include Thimarafushi MP Abdulla Riyaz and Dhangethi MP Mohamed Nazim.

Speaking at Tuesday’s sitting, Parliament Speaker Mohamed Aslam, citing Article 33 of the parliament’s regulation, said a political party, after election to the parliament, will lose their capacity of representation in the parliament if the number of MPs from the party drop below three at any point.

Therewith, Aslam said both Nazim and Riyaz, who are members of the party, will now be considered as independent MPs on the parliament’s registry.

The updated parliament registry is as follows;

• Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) – 56 MPs
• The Democrats – 13 MPs
• Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) – 2 MPs
• People’s National Congress (PNC) – 2 MPs
• Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) – 2 MPs
• Jumhoory Party (JP) – 2 MPs
• Independent – 4 MPs

When first incepted, MNP received representation in the parliament as the party had three MPs.

Nazim, MNP’s leader, contested in September’s presidential election. He failed to qualify for the runoff, after securing only 1,907 votes in the first.

In the runoff, MNP formed an unconditional coalition with PPM-PNC.