Hoarafushi MP Ahmed Saleem has been appointed the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament.
The Deputy Speaker post became vacant with the resignation of former Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla amid a no-confidence motion against her.
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), as the majority party in the Parliament, had three members vying for the Deputy Speaker position: Hoarafushi MP Ahmed Saleem, Addu Meedhoo MP Rozaina Adam, and Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir. In a secret ballot taken among the MDP parliamentary group members on Sunday, Saleem received the most votes. He received 26 votes, while Rozaina received 23 and Jabir 4.
Following the parliamentary group's decision, Saleem's nomination for the Deputy Speaker post was presented during a parliamentary session on Sunday night. The nomination by Ihavandhoo MP Mohamed Shifau was seconded by Kurendhoo MP Abdul Ghanee Abdul Hakeem. However, during the nomination process, Thoddoo MP Hassan Shiyan also moved Jabir's name for the Deputy Speaker role, a motion supported by The Democrats' Gaddhoo MP Ahmed Zahir. This resulted in a secret ballot among MPs to appoint a Deputy Speaker. In the ballot, Saleem emerged victorious with the support of 51 members, while 23 members supported Jabir.
Ahmed Saleem was elected to the Parliament in the current 19th Parliament. He is also the Chairman of the Environment Committee of the Parliament.
