First parliamentary sitting held during Ramadan before the government went on recess: Was it merely an attempt to deceive the public?
Following a prolonged hiatus, the 20th People’s Majlis convened an emergency session on Sunday, sparking heated debates among members. The government-aligned majority has faced mounting criticism for the lack of sittings during Ramadan, with many observers alleging that lawmakers are prioritizing local council election campaigning over their legislative responsibilities.
A session of the People's Majlis in progress. | Majlis
The People’s Majlis stands as one of the most vital institutions for understanding and clarifying the current state of the Maldives. The conduct of parliamentary proceedings serves as a transparent barometer for the nation’s trajectory and the government’s overall standing. This is particularly evident in the 20th People’s Majlis, where the administration’s influence is unmistakable. Given that the government holds a supermajority, the pro-government members appear dedicated solely to executing the specific directives of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. Consequently, it would not be an exaggeration to suggest that there is a lack of government members in Parliament willing to speak out independently in the interest of the nation and its citizens.
Amidst these circumstances, many have accused the current administration and its members of actively working to mislead the public. This pattern of behavior was clearly evident during Sunday’s session of the People’s Majlis.
After a prolonged hiatus, the Parliament convened for a session on Sunday, March 8, 2026, marking the first sitting since February 17, 2026. During the intervening period, the legislative body had remained in recess with no sessions held. The sudden reconvening on Sunday was marred by heated arguments, shouting, and unruly behavior. Furthermore, opposition members were reportedly denied the opportunity to speak during the proceedings.
Furthermore, Sunday is not typically a day when parliamentary sittings are scheduled. Once a session begins, the Parliament generally conducts its sittings on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.
Consequently, questions have been raised regarding the true purpose of Sunday’s parliamentary session. With government offices having remained closed since March 9, 2026, it is currently unclear when the next sitting will take place. However, by convening on Sunday, the official record will now reflect that a session was held during the month of Ramadan.
The current conduct of the 20th People’s Majlis stands in stark contrast to the 19th Majlis, where the MDP majority maintained a rigorous workload. During that term, parliamentary sittings continued even throughout the month of Ramadan. However, the 20th Majlis held only eight sittings during the most recent Ramadan. Furthermore, following the conclusion of the first sitting held this Ramadan, no date was announced for the next session. Authorities have also failed to provide any explanation for the prolonged suspension of parliamentary proceedings.
Despite this, pro-government members of the People's Majlis are seen actively and enthusiastically participating in various campaign activities for the upcoming local council elections. With parliamentary proceedings brought to a standstill, it raises the question of whether their current efforts are truly motivated by the best interests of the people and the nation.
