The MDP Parliamentary Group Leader and Hithadhoo North MP Mohamed Aslam has emphasized that the Speaker himself must not make the decision regarding the no-confidence motion against himself.
The main-ruling MDP has submitted a no-confidence motion against Speaker Mohamed Nasheed with the signatures of 49 MPs, and the parliament has formally accepted this motion. It marks a renewed attempt to remove Nasheed from his position after a similar motion was withdrawn by the party in June, ahead of the second round of the presidential election.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Aslam said it is up to the members to move a motion to remove the Speaker if they did not have confidence in him. He pointed out that the Speaker of Parliament does not have the authority to decide whether to proceed with such a motion. Instead, it is the Secretary-General of Parliament who should make that decision.
"It is not the Speaker of Parliament who will decide whether to proceed with the case. The Secretary General of Parliament will decide," Aslam said.
Aslam said the primary objective of the no-confidence motion, endorsed by 49 MDP MPs, is to ensure that parliamentary sessions are conducted in accordance with parliamentary rules. He further suggested that the motion was submitted because the majority party does not hold sway in parliament.
“At this point, the majority party has no say in the Parliament; this is another reason,” Aslam said.
Aslam further said the work of the parliament should not stop every time a no-confidence motion is filed against Nasheed. Aslam expressed his initial hopes of working harmoniously with the Speaker and The Democrats following the presidential election. However, that hope has now been lost, he said.
Aslam also spoke about the reason for the loss of quorum in today's parliamentary session. Aslam said some members came to today's session, and after opening the chamber door and peering inside, they left without entering. He asserted that these actions were taken intentionally to disrupt the quorum and hinder the session.
