Motion to remove Nasheed as Speaker submitted with 54 signatures

Former President and current Speaker of the Parliament, Mohamed Nasheed | Photo: Mihaaru

Maldivian Democratic Party has moved a no-confidence motion against the Speaker of the Parliament, former president Mohamed Nasheed with 54 signatures.

The 54 members who have signed the petition include 50 members of the MDP, Kaashidhoo MP Abdullah Jaabir, Nolhivaram MP Mohammed Nasheed, Thulusdhoo MP Ibrahim Naseem and Meedhoo MP Ahmed Shiyam Mohammed.

Kulhudhufushi South MP Jamsheed Mohamed, Bilehdhoo MP Ahmed Haleem, Hithadhoo Central MP Ahmed Rasheed and Fonadhoo MP Moosa Siraj did not sign the no confidence motion on behalf of the party.

The impeachment of the Speaker of Parliament is moved by a resolution signed by not less than one-fourth of the total number of members of Parliament. The resolution shall state the reason for the dismissal, according to the rules of the parliament.

The reasons for the proposed dismissal include:

  • Work stopped without forming committees.
  • Leaving the speakers position every day without announcing a reason.
  • Supporting members who are trying to disrupt the parliamentary system.
  • Participate in debates in Parliament while presiding.
  • Obstruction of Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath’s case.
  • Holding a personal grudges against some members.

The motion of no confidence in President Nasheed was passed by the MDP Parliamentary Group at its meeting yesterday. The decision was taken after things went to the point where they could not continue with Nasheed as the Speaker of Parliament according to PG leader MP Aslam. 

The no-confidence motion in the Deputy-Speaker of Parliament, Eva Abdullah , has also been moved.

This comes while MDP had raised its concerns over how Speaker Nasheed is running the parliament. MDP parliamentary group media coordinator, MP Mohammed Abdullah Shafeeq expressed MDP’s concerns over the behaviour of President Nasheed to local media at a press conference held earlier this week at the parliament building.

“We have respect for him as the party president. We are trying to find a solution by talking to him. That is the only reason,” Shafeeq said.

Recently, members supporting President Nasheed have left the MDP and started working to form a separate political party.