Two parliamentary sessions convened today to address the no-confidence motion against Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed ended without reaching a resolution.
The main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) initiated a no-confidence motion against Nasheed on October 9, with 49 MDP MPs backing the motion. However, multiple sessions intended for hearing the motion were canceled due to Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla's absence due to illness, leading to legal action by the MDP to expedite the proceedings. In a constitutional case, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of MDP on Thursday to address the no-confidence motion against Nasheed.
Following the ruling, the first session was held at 9:00 am, with Vilifushi MP Hassan Afeef presiding over the session due to Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla's absence. At the session, The Democrats, to whom Nasheed belongs, repeatedly raised points of order stating that the no-confidence motion did not meet the necessary requirements. Afeef, also a Democrat, agreed with the points of order and instructed the MDP to resubmit the motion, and concluded the session. It is reported that Afeef ended the session despite the PArlament's Secretary General Fathimath Niusha advising that the resolution was in order.
After Afeef concluded today's session, the Secretary-General met the parliamentary group leaders of the political parties and said the resolution was rejected in violation of Parliament rules. Therefore, the resolution was re-agendaed, and a second session was scheduled for 11:30 am.
The second session was chaired by Deputy Speaker Eva. At the session, Eva stated that the matter could not be pursued during the ongoing session due to the morning's exclusion. The session concluded abruptly, leaving the no-confidence motion against Speaker Nasheed in a continued state of uncertainty.
