MDP ‘Parks’ Nasheed’s No-Confidence Motion to Prioritise Budget Resolutions

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) parked the no-confidence motion against Speaker Mohamed Nasheed in favor of prioritising two budget-related resolutions for the scheduled parliamentary proceedings of today.

Amidst the parliamentary agenda exclusively addressing resolutions concerning the supplementary budget and the 2024 state budget, the omission of Nasheed’s no-confidence motion drew attention. 

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The scheduled agenda was already disseminated among Members of Parliament.

Despite being initially tabled for both Sunday and Monday’s sittings, the motion couldn’t proceed due to Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla’s absence on sick leave. The rescheduling slotted the no-confidence motion for tomorrow.

Hassan Ziyau, Parliament’s Director of Communications, clarified that Eva’s extended sick leave led to the rescheduling of the no-confidence motion from Tuesday to Wednesday.

Ziyau highlighted the significance of adhering to the Public Finance Act, citing today as the final date to propose the state budget. Per the Act’s stipulation, the state must present and commence discussions on the budget before November 1.

However, the MDP, holding a majority in parliament, expressed reservations about proceeding with other parliamentary matters without first addressing Nasheed’s no-confidence motion. Consequently, the party declared its non-endorsement of the budget resolutions.

In response, MDP filed a constitutional lawsuit with the Supreme Court, seeking redress for the delay in the no-confidence motion within the parliament. The party cited the parliament regulation, asserting that no other matters should be scheduled in the parliamentary session without addressing any pending no-confidence motion.

MDP’s legal team contended that the Secretary General’s decision to cancel Nasheed’s no-confidence motion breached Articles of the parliament regulation. 

Despite the omission of the motion, MDP urged for its inclusion on the todays agenda. Mohamed Aslam, MDP’s Parliamentary Group leader, formally requested Parliament Secretary General Fathimath Niusha to amend the agenda by including Nasheed’s no-confidence motion.

Aslam emphasised the party’s request, noting that the notice period for Nasheed’s no-confidence had already lapsed, in accordance with parliament regulations, dictating the motion’s placement on the first sitting of a public work day.

The ruling party’s PG leader pressed for the motion’s inclusion for today based on the same statutory provision used for Sunday’s scheduled sitting. Additionally, Aslam sought clarification regarding the cancellation of Monday’s sitting, questioning the statutory basis and the individual behind the decision to cancel it.