A motion has been filed at the Parliament seeking to remove Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla from her position. The move comes as Eva actively works in the formation of a new political party, The Democrats, after leaving the main-ruling MDP last week.
The petition was signed by 50 MPs from the MDP.
Speaking to reporters last week after leaving the MDP over internal conflict, Eva said she would not remain in the MDP for the sake of the post of Deputy Speaker. She said she would not resign even if a motion was filed to remove her from the post.
Rule 205(a) of the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament states that the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament must resign from office when a resolution is passed by a majority of the members present and voting at a Parliament session. With 87 members in the Parliament, 44 votes are required to remove Eva. The MDP alone currently holds 55 seats.
The MDP Parliamentary Group members have also prepared to initiate an impeachment motion against the MDP President and Parliament Speaker, Mohamed Nasheed. Nasheed has been leading an anti-government movement within MDP following his defeat in the party primary, and The Democrats is believed to be formed by Nasheed. However, the case has not yet been filed.
Meanwhile, the opposition has initiated a no-confidence motion against Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath and Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid. Both cabinet members have been given 14 days notice to respond to the motion.
