In a significant legislative move, the Parliament on Tuesday voted to abolish Atoll Councils, passing a constitutional amendment with a resounding 75 votes in favour.
The decision came after a thorough review in the Parliamentary Whole House Committee, where the proposed changes were deliberated and ultimately approved.
The abolition of Atoll Councils was part of a broader set of constitutional amendments introduced on behalf of the government by Baarah MP Ibrahim Shujau.
Alongside the Atoll Council's dissolution, Parliament also considered an amendment addressing the repercussions of a Member of Parliament being expelled from their respective political party.
The Constitution stipulates that a Member of Parliament would automatically lose their seat upon expulsion from the party through which they were elected.
The amendment proposed by MP Shujau sought to include a requirement of a referendum from the constituents of that particular seat to determine its future.
However, most lawmakers spoke against the proposed amendment, citing that it would potentially pave the way for two separate votes on a single seat, leading to increased costs and logistical challenges. Numerous members voiced their opposition for this amendment, emphasising that most parliamentarians are elected based on the people's trust in a specific political party, and therefore, the people should have a choice of electing a new representative in such circumstances.
The abolition of the Atoll Council, however, saw widespread support among parliamentarians, with the committee of the Whole House unanimously deciding to endorse this amendment. The committee's report, detailing these decisions, was subsequently submitted to the Parliament floor for final ratification, culminating in Tuesday’s decisive vote.