Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed has said he has not participated in any parliament debates.
Debating an amendment to the Parliament rules moved by Addu MP Rozaina Adam, Velidhoo MP Mohamed Abdulla Shafeeq said there are many parliament rules that need to be amended. He said he saw no problem in amending the rules such that the Speaker is allowed to participate in an ongoing debate.
Article 2 (b) of the Parliament rules state that the Speaker shall not express his own views on a matter raised in an ongoing debate or in a committee meeting. However, the Speaker may express his views on how to conduct matters properly in a session or committee meeting.
"However, while the rules state this (that the Speaker cannot participate in the debate), and if he indeed does this, then this is problematic," he said.
Responding to Shafeeq, Nasheed said the rule that states that the Speaker cannot participate in the debate also states an additional part.
"I have never noticed where I have participated in a debate. I don't think it is right to say I participated in a debate just because I said something verbally," Nasheed said.
Nasheed said he would not hesitate to work to ensure the basic rights of the people, and assured all members and the people that he would continue to work towards that. He will always work to hold the government accountable and make laws, he said.
