Aslam Sits as Newly-Elected Speaker of Parliament

MV+ News Desk | November 14, 2023
Photo: People’s Majlis

Mohamed Aslam, representing North Hithadhoo and Parliament’s Majority Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Leader has been elected as the new Speaker of the parliament. 

The parliamentary gathering, called by the Parliament Secretariat at 10:00 pm last night, focused solely on this agenda item following the resignation of former speaker Mohamed Nasheed earlier in the evening.

advertisement

As the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) holds the majority in parliament, they nominated Aslam, the party’s parliamentary group leader, for the position. The Democrats, a minority party, nominated their parliamentary group leader, Ali Azim of Central Henveiru.

The secret vote between the two nominees resulted in Aslam’s victory. Out of a total of 77 votes cast, Aslam secured 55, while Azim received 23.

Nasheed’s resignation occurred in the wake of a contentious no-confidence motion. Originally scheduled for 11:00 am on Monday, disruptions from both MDP and The Democrats lawmakers prompted concerns. 

The Democrats cited worries over budget work delays, while MDP members demanded the resignation of Deputy Speaker of the Parliment Eva Abdulla.

Eva adjourned the session, citing disorder, but the Parliament’s Secretariat rescheduled the motion for 04:00 pm. Chaired by MDP’s Addu Maradhoo MP Ibrahim Shareef, the session witnessed Nasheed’s resignation, communicated through a letter to Parliament’s Secretary General Fathimath Niusha.

In the letter, Nasheed cited concerns about the impact of the motion on democratic processes and accused MDP of jeopardizing fundamental democratic principles. Notably, earlier in the year, MDP had submitted no-confidence motions against both Nasheed and Eva. 

ރިއެކްޝަންސް
0
0
0
0
0
0
0