<div>The Maldives Parliament has approved the anti-defection bill with retrospective effect amidst boycott by opposition MPs.&nbsp;</div>''<div><br />''</div>''<div>According to the bill, MPs elected on political party tickets will lose their seat if they leave their party, get expelled, or switch parties.&nbsp;</div>''<div><br />''</div>''<div>The bill would take effect from 13th July 2017, meaning that the 12 MPs that switched to the Opposition last year would lose their seats.&nbsp;</div>''<div><br />''</div>''<div>The bill was passed with 35 votes as opposition MPs continued to boycott the sittings.&nbsp;</div>''<div><br />''</div>''<div>A three-line whip was issued by the government coalition for Monday's sitting without any discussion with MPs.</div>''<div><br />''</div>''<div>Earlier, Supreme court in its 1st of last month's judgement had restored the seats of 12 MPS who had defected to opposition thus putting the government in effective minority.&nbsp;</div>''<div><br />''</div>''<div>However, President Yameen imposed emergency in the country and got the judgement reversed.</div>''<div><br />''</div>''<div>AIR correspondent reports, the anti-defection bill is yet another attempt by President Abdullah Yameen to take control of democratic institutions.&nbsp;</div>''<div><br />''</div>''<div>The bill will give powers to election commission to unseat MPs in case of defections.&nbsp;</div>''<div><br />''</div>''<div>The 12 MPs who earlier defected to opposition side will lose seats as the bill will be implemented with retrospective effect.&nbsp;</div>''<div><br />''</div>''<div>Opposition continued to boycott parliament and only 35 ruling MPs were present to vote in 85 member Majlis.&nbsp;</div>''<div><br />''</div>''<div>A former legal director has opposed the bill saying it is against the constitution. <br />''</div>