Maldives' 20th Parliament: Bridging the Gap Between Expectations and Responsibilities

The 20th parliament of the Maldives, inaugurated following the April 21 parliamentary election, faces a daunting task: aligning the high expectations of its constituents with the practical responsibilities of governance. The election underscored several persistent issues, including voters demanding payment for their votes, low representation of women, misuse of state resources, and challenges in facilitating voter representation by residency.

Transparency Maldives highlighted these issues, which have long plagued the political landscape of the nation. The 20th parliament must address these challenges while also enhancing constituent engagement and holding Members of Parliament (MPs) accountable for their legislative roles.

The previous, 19th parliament, had notable shortcomings. An analysis by The Edition revealed that many key legislative tasks remained untouched and that one-third of the legislature switched parties. These issues contributed to a perception of underperformance and political instability.

Why this matters: The success of the 20th parliament of the Maldives has broader implications for the country's political stability and democratic development. If the parliament fails to address the challenges and fulfill its promises, it may lead to further political instability and erosion of trust in the government.

To bridge the gap between expectations and responsibilities, the 20th parliament must prioritize constituent engagement. Many candidates promised to maintain close contact with their electorates by opening campaign offices within their constituencies. Although this practice is not yet normalized in the Maldives, official avenues for engagement exist, such as MPs' offices in the parliament premises, facilitated appointments with MPs, and the parliament's website, which allows constituents to send messages to their MPs.

International best practices in constituent engagement offer valuable lessons. For example, Slovenia dedicates specific days for MPs to reach out to constituents. The US Congress holds town hall meetings, while UK MPs conduct constituent clinics known as surgeries. Additionally, digital engagement through surveys, questionnaires, Zoom or Google calls, and public dialogues can enhance communication between MPs and their constituents.

The 20th parliament has a clear mandate: to enhance constituent engagement, address longstanding issues, and hold MPs accountable for their law-making roles. By adopting best practices from around the world and leveraging technology, the parliament can bridge the gap between expectations and responsibilities, ultimately serving the people of the Maldives more effectively.

The success of the 20th parliament will depend on its ability to navigate these challenges and fulfill its promises. As the Maldives continues to evolve politically, the role of its parliament remains crucial in shaping the nation's future.

Key Takeaways

• The 20th Maldives parliament must address voter expectations vs. governance responsibilities.
• Challenges include vote-buying, low female representation, and misuse of state resources.
• Previous parliament had shortcomings, including underperformance and party-switching.
• Constituent engagement is key to parliament's success, with lessons from international best practices.
• Parliament's success crucial for Maldives' political stability and democratic development.