The Government has submitted a constitutional amendment that would allow Members of Parliament to be removed from office by a public referendum in their constituency if they defect from the political party under which they were elected.

The amendment was proposed by Baarah MP and PNC Vice President Ibrahim Shujau on behalf of the ruling party. It introduces a new mechanism expanding the grounds on which MPs may be unseated.

Under the draft amendment, MPs who leaves their party during their term would face a constituency referendum. If a majority of voters support their removal, the MP would lose their seat.

If voters decide against removal, the MP would continue their term as an independent. However, should they subsequently join another political party, they would automatically forfeit their seat.

At present, the Constitution states that MPs lose their seat if they cross the floor, are expelled from their party, or if an independent member joins a political party.

This proposal comes less than a year after the Constitution was last amended on 20 November, an amendment signed into law by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on the same day.

A petition challenging that earlier amendment is currently before the Supreme Court, though the case has not yet been scheduled for hearing.