Muizzu sets controversial record as first president to deliver presidential address without opposition MPs
Opposition members had protested during other presidential terms as well, no MPs were kicked out
Opposition lawmakers protesting inside the parliament chamber on Thursday
Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has made a controversial record as the first president to deliver the Presidential Address without opposition members present inside the parliament chamber.
When the inaugural sitting of the People’s Majlis to deliver the Presidential Address began on Thursday morning, lawmakers representing the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) raised their voices and protested against President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
As opposition lawmakers continued to protest during the inaugural sitting of the year, the names of nine of them were called out at a certain point in the Presidential Address and they were seen being removed from the chamber by security.
When MDP members began protesting, President Muizzu initially couldn't deliver the Presidential Address and the sitting was halted. President Muizzu and Speaker of the People’s Majlis Abdul Raheem Abdulla left the chamber. Before leaving the chamber, Abdul Raheem announced the names of some members and ordered them to leave the chamber.
Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla announced the names of MP for South Galolhu constituency Meekail Ahmed Naseem, MP for Hanimaadhoo constituency Abdul Ghafoor Moosa, MP for South Hithadhoo constituency Ibrahim Nazil, MP for Keyodhoo constituency Mohamed Niushad, MP for Maradhoo constituency Ahmed Didi, MP for Thoddoo constituency Hussain Sameer, MP for Kendhoo constituency Mauroof Zakir, MP for Maradhoo constituency Ahmed Didi, MP for Vaikaradhoo constituency Hussain Ziyad and MP for North Galolhu constituency Mohamed Ibrahim.
The nine lawmakers were removed from the chamber by parliament security after the live feed was cut off and the parliament did not show the scene of members being removed. It's also notable that the parliament has not released any photos showing them being removed.
While some lawmakers were called out and removed from the chamber, some of them were forcibly removed by parliament security. Videos released by some lawmakers show security guards physically removing members from the chamber. Among those forcibly removed were MDP's PG Leader Nazil and MP Ziyad. Lawmakers have noted that this was done against procedure as there was no one presiding over the sitting when these members were removed from the chamber.
This is the first time opposition lawmakers were removed from the chamber before the presidential address was delivered. Opposition members had protested during the presidencies of former President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim, former President Abdulla Yameen, and former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih as well. Even when members protested with disruptive devices and other means on days when the Presidential Address was delivered, it's notable that opposition members were still allowed to remain in the chamber back then.
