Bill to be Introduced to Parliament to Reduce Number of MPs and Political Appointments

The opposition MDP and The Democrats are preparing to propose amendments to laws to reduce the total number of MPs and political appointments.

The Democrats and the MDP, said at a joint press conference that the two parties had agreed to propose amendments to some laws.

MDP Chairman Fayyaz Ismail, Vice-Speaker of Parliament Ahmed Salim, Democrats President Hassan Latheef and Parliamentary Group Leader Ali Azim met with reporters after talks between the two parties. The leadership of the two parties told reporters that they would propose amendments to laws including bills to limit the number of members of parliament and determine a limit for the number of political posts that can be distributed.

The current parliament has 87 members and 93 members will be elected in the upcoming parliamentary elections. The Democrats have already proposed an amendment to keep the number of seats at the current level, however, the amendment was not passed.

The two parties have decided to hold an extraordinary session to decide on the dates of the upcoming parliamentary elections. A motion was signed by 38 members of both parties to hold a session.

The Democrats and the MDP have also said they will not contest the upcoming parliamentary elections together even if they work together to reform the laws.