Parliament cancels first sitting after extending term for "urgent business"
Despite extending the parliamentary term until December 31 to address urgent matters, today’s scheduled session was canceled. The opposition MDP alleges that the extension was a strategic move to expedite the removal of Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim, who faces a dismissal motion for allegedly abusing his position and undermining the interests of the Parliament.
Concluding Thursday's session, Abdul Raheem announced that the next sitting would take place on Monday. However, the scheduled session for Monday was not held. | raajjemv
The first sitting of the People’s Majlis scheduled following the extension of the current session has been cancelled, despite earlier assertions that several important matters remain to be concluded before the term ends.
While the first session of the 2024 People's Majlis was scheduled to conclude by May 15, parliamentary regulations mandate that the final sitting of a term be held on the last Monday or Thursday of that period. Consequently, although the final sitting of this year's first session was held last Thursday, Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla proposed an extension of the term, citing several urgent matters that remain pending.
On Thursday, the Parliament voted to extend its current session until the 31st of this month. The decision was approved with a majority of 58 members in favor, while 11 members voted against the extension.
Concluding Thursday's session, Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla announced that the next sitting would take place on Monday. However, Monday's session has since been canceled, with no official reason provided for the decision.
The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has expressed concern over the failure to hold parliamentary sittings despite the current session being extended. Speaking to RaajjeMV regarding the matter, MDP Member for Hulhumalé South, Dr. Ahmed Shamheed, alleged that the PNC-led supermajority did not extend the term to address any urgent legislative business. He further claimed that the extension was not intended to facilitate actual parliamentary work or hold regular sittings.
Shamheed stated that these actions are being taken in response to the no-confidence motion filed against the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament and Member for the Dhiggaru constituency, Ahmed Nazim.
The People’s Majlis administration announced on Thursday that it will proceed with the resolution to remove Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim from his post, in accordance with the Constitution and the Parliament’s rules of procedure.
According to the Constitution, a 14-day notice must be provided when a resolution is submitted to remove the Deputy Speaker of Parliament from office. The Deputy Speaker must also be granted the opportunity to speak in their own defense regarding the matter. However, they are prohibited from participating in the vote concerning their removal.
Shamheed stated that despite the extension of the current term, it is unlikely that any sessions will be held for legislative work. He noted that while the motion to remove Nazim has been submitted, sessions are expected to resume only after the Eid holidays, as the 14-day mandatory notice period required by law for a resolution to dismiss the Vice President would have concluded by then.
Shamheed alleged that the matter would have remained unaddressed had the Parliament gone on recess, asserting that the sole purpose of extending the session was to conclude Nazim's case as swiftly as possible.
The resolution submitted to Parliament seeking Nazim's removal states that the motion was proposed because he abused his official position, showed bias toward a specific political ideology, and encouraged actions that undermined the interests of the Parliament.
