Parliament Resumes Today After Extended Eid Break

Parliament resumed today following an extended Eid al-Adha break.

The delay in resuming sittings—despite government offices reopening yesterday—has reignited criticism over the legislature’s inconsistent schedule.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

The Parliament had adjourned for the Eid holidays on 3 June, just one day after reconvening for its second session of the year. Although the public sector returned to work on Tuesday, the Parliament remained closed, with no sitting scheduled until today.

According to the agenda for Wednesday’s sitting, lawmakers are scheduled to address several key matters. These include the Judiciary Committee’s report on President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s nominations for two vacant positions on the Supreme Court bench. The committee had voted in favour of both nominees—High Court Judge Mohamed Saleem and former judge Abdulla Hameed—on 4 June.

The agenda also includes debate on a proposed amendment to the Civil Aviation Authority Act and the Foreign Relations Committee’s report on the President’s nominee for the role of non-resident ambassador to Nepal.

The Parliament’s standing orders require sittings to be held three days a week—on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. However, the legislature has faced growing criticism over frequent deviations from this schedule, with parliamentarians not informed of specific reasons for the cancellations.

Members of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which holds 12 of the 93 seats, have consistently raised concerns about the unexplained postponement of sittings.

Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla has previously responded to the criticism by stating that while the Parliament may not always meet on the floor, committee work continues during these periods.

Public frustration over the perceived lack of productivity in Parliament has recently led to a petition calling for a reduction in the MVR 82,500 monthly remuneration received by members.