The Democrats prioritizes reducing parliamentary seats for the upcoming session, or to contend for all constituencies if it fails in this bid.
The party's interim chairperson Hassan Latheef, while speaking with media post the interim council meeting of The Democrats, said the members were all focused on the efforts to approve the bill submitted by Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb seeking reduction of parliament constituencies.
Should the party fail in this endeavor, Latheef added that the party will be contending for all 93 constituencies in the upcoming parliamentary election slated for early-2024. The decision was approved by the unanimous vote of all members who took part in the interim council.
Labeeb, a senior member of The Democrats, submitted the constitutional amendment to Article 71 revising the total number of constituencies to 76. The amendment also requires election of members for 55 administrative constituencies and two members to represent special needs people, and 11 members representing political parties based on vote percentile, with fixed seats for female MPs.
Latheef further noted that the ruling and parliament majority holder, Maldivian Democratic Party's (MDP) refusal to the constitutional amendment was concerning.
The former MDP chairperson said right now, while the election is drawing close, is the ideal time for a revision to parliament constituencies
Latheef further noted that MDP previously addressed changing the parliament composition as well, and hoped the outgoing ruling party will change its decision to back The Democrats in the parliament and endorse the bill.
"By the time we arrive to a vote on the bill, they will change the decision whether it is due to public feedback or pressures," Latheef said.
Besides the constitutional amendment bill, members at the interim council discussed on expediting efforts to formulate a legislative agenda of The Democrats as well.