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Some electoral constituencies are more equal than others. The Election Commission's interim report on delineating electoral constituencies shows that the sizes of individual constituencies vary widely from a low of 1079 population in Vaavu Keyodhoo to a high of 6065 population in Hulhudoo-Meedhoo. Thus a person in Keyodhoo has nearly 6 times more say in the Majlis election than a voter in Meedhoo.
Actually 2 atolls of the Maldives (Vaavu and Faafu) have less population than Hulhudoo-Meedhoo and two other atolls (Alifu Alifu and Meemu) have nearly equal populations. However, these 4 atolls will all be sending 2 members each to the Majlis, while Hulhudoo-Meedhoo will be sending just one member.
This discrepancy cannot be fully blamed on the Election Commission because it has to work within the limits set by the Constitution. The Constitution allots 2 members to each of what it calls 'administrative zones.' If the population of an administrative zone exceeds 5000, then one extra member is allotted for each additional 5000. It is this 2-tiering of constituencies and administrative zones that is partially responsible for the problem. However the relevant law does give the Election Commission some leeway in reducing discrepancies. In the case of Hulhudoo-Meedhoo the Commission has decided to make it a single constituency to "maintain social harmony."
Inter-constituency differences are not the only problem with the allocation of Majlis seats. The total of 77 members is also a cause for concern. It is about 50% more than the outgoing Majlis. Many citizens question whether such a high number of expensive members are needed for a population of just 300,000.
[Note: Meedhoo is one among the author's 3 home islands, the other 2 being Male and Kulhudhuffushi]
11 comments:
the damage has been done your view of creating a Male' real estate oligarchy is already loose.
The concept of atoll based idhaaree dhaaira must be abolished. Atolls are too small to have as separate units.
30 to 40 Majlis members are more than enough
Majlis members' discipline and performance are very dissapointing. How can they claim to represnt ordinary people?
This is what happens, when the blind leads the blind, Its only last year we made a new constitution and every one knows these flaws are there, but no one in the parliament has any guts to raise these issues.
The special majlis did nothing but political bickering for most of the 3 years they worked. Finally they did a hasty job. this is the result of that mess.
The issue of Hulhudoo meedoo could be sorted in the following way. Since hulhudhoo has about 900 people more than meedhoo, the additional 900 can be taken and combined with hithadhoo. When adjusted this way hulhudoo-meedhoo will have 5165 population and each of the new 3 hithadoo constituencies will have 4950 population. One of the 3 constituencies will include the 900 from Hulhudhoo.
I would like to ask the people of 1079 population Vaavu Keyodhoo if given the choice to have their own MP versus all islanders getting to share his annual salary i.e. 65000 X12 = MRF 780000 what would be their choice. They could buy rice, food, textbooks for their children. For MRF 780000 they could start a community small sustainable business. If I am a resident of Keyodhoo I would choose the latter. Just think of what goes in our bloody parliament. Just notice the passion ..the zeal.. the heat…of our vocally endowed joke of parliamentarians raising nizaamee nukuthas to protest other nizaamee nukuthas. I wonder if there would be enough time for all them to talk when they bloat to 77.
The other night I was watching TV and some one was asking a prospective candidate for upcoming elections “So how do you intend to serve the people of your electorate?” Answer. “Nobody know the ihsaas (feelings) of these people than me. These islands needs a faalan (jetty) a harbor. .somebody to raise their ihsaas and voice in parliament” In short these are people (Some seedy lawyers, drug dealers, thugs.) who wouldn’t know which end of the buffalo they are holding although they may be trying.
I also question the basis of these 77 seats. As I understand the purpose of representatives in a democracy is to provide representation and voice especially considering diversity and differences e.g. India. I really don’t understand what makes Upper Henveiru different from lower Henveiru or from Galolhu. Aren’t they all people some five feet tall brown colored, live in same shitty housing conditions, almost same religion. So what are our MPs representing? What is stopping our government from making Henveiru a province with a state minister? Perhaps put boundaries and checkpoint and announce for international investment to re-do the sewerage system and change traffic rules.
Why not appoint an MP from drug addicts, Maafushi jail, pedophiles and other common varieties.
Under the guise of democracy, (much applauded by the international community) we the people are being taken advantage of by our institutions like the Rayithunge (peoples) Majlis, the independent commissions and their fat salaries. As a citizen of this country till now they have nothing to do with me. I hope that will change.
Most of the vocal Majlis members are jokers or morons. Sometimes the biggest joker is Ali Waheed. sometimes it is Reeko Musa or Sanco Shareef or Gadhdoo Zahir.
It would be interesting if the people will return these morons to the Majlis.
Of your 3 home islands which one is the favourite?
high number of members are actually not required. we are just crazy.i suggest you to know about number of parliment members in australian states and you will find it surprising.
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