MPs will forfeit seat for leaving party, Supreme Court rules

Delivering a three-judge panel’s unanimous decision Thursday evening, Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed declared that MPs will lose their seats if they either switch parties, quit or is expelled after winning on a political party ticket.

The apex court ordered state institutions to enforce the new rule with effect from July 13 until parliament enacts an anti-defection law, exempting MPs who switched parties after the March 2014 parliamentary elections to hand the ruling party a clear majority.

AG Mohamed Anil asked the court to interpret the constitution on the question of floor crossing last week after the collapse of President Abdulla Yameen’s majority. The ex parte case was filed on the same day the opposition alliance submitted a second no-confidence motion against the speaker with the backing of several ruling party lawmakers.