Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj has expressed strong criticism of Minister Filimone Vosarogo’s recent remarks concerning parliamentary numbers, asserting that attempts to utilize “maths” to undermine the legitimacy of the Opposition are legally erroneous and pose a threat to constitutional protections. Maharaj emphasized that the Constitution and electoral laws explicitly dictate how Members of Parliament retain their positions.
In his statement, Maharaj condemned Vosarogo’s approach as both “entertaining” and legally unsound. He cited the 2013 Constitution and the Electoral Act, explaining that an MP’s seat is fundamentally secured by the electorate’s vote. Maharaj firmly dismissed assertions suggesting that lawmakers lose their mandate if their original political party is deregistered or if they sever ties with previous leaders. He warned that this line of reasoning misrepresents the law and creates a perilous precedent.
“The law safeguards parliamentary tenure to avert political interference,” Maharaj said, reiterating that MPs are in their positions because of the direct support of the voters. He addressed Vosarogo’s reference to vote counts by asserting that popularity does not exempt anyone from legal responsibility. Despite the Prime Minister’s notable tally of 77,748 votes, Maharaj contended that such figures cannot replace adherence to the rule of law.
Calls for the Prime Minister to step back amid legal challenges, according to Maharaj, are essential to uphold the integrity of parliament. He emphasized that this is a matter of maintaining standards, not merely about popularity. Further, he took issue with the Minister’s grasp of the D’Hondt voting system, explaining that it is designed to ensure proportional representation, not to create a hierarchy within Parliament.
Maharaj pointed out the inconsistency in arguing that government-aligned MPs face no scrutiny while Opposition members do. “The law should not be selectively applied to benefit the Government,” he stated. He reassured constituents that the Opposition remains undeterred, committed to fulfilling their constitutional roles as elected representatives, which no Minister can undermine with statements issued to the press.