Nazim resigns as Deputy Speaker amid move to remove him from office

Ahmed Nazim, the Member of Parliament for the Dhiggaru constituency, has resigned from his position as Deputy Speaker of the People’s Majlis. The resignation comes just as the parliament was scheduled to convene for a session to decide on his removal from the post.

The ruling People's National Congress (PNC) parliamentary group passed a no-confidence motion against Nazim during a meeting on the 13th of this month, officially submitting the case to Parliament the following day. Supported by the signatures of 73 PNC members, the motion was filed on May 14, and Nazim has since been served the mandatory 14-day notice in accordance with parliamentary regulations.

According to parliamentary regulations, a sitting must be held to decide on a matter on the first official working day following the expiration of the notice period. As the notice period provided to Nazim expired on Friday, the 29th of this month, a session has been scheduled for Sunday, which marks the earliest subsequent working day.

The sole item on the agenda for the sitting is to reach a decision regarding the removal of Ahmed Nazim, the Member of Parliament for the Dhiggaru constituency, from his position as Deputy Speaker of the People’s Majlis.

Just moments before the scheduled sitting, Nazim resigned from his post and issued a formal statement. In the statement, Nazim asserted that the resolution seeking his removal failed to provide any evidence or substantiation to support the allegations leveled against him. He further noted that no member or any other party had previously filed a complaint alleging that he had violated the Constitution or the Parliament's Rules of Procedure, whether in his capacity as Deputy Speaker or as a Member of Parliament. Consequently, he emphasized that all the accusations brought against him were entirely baseless.

Nazim stated that he has fulfilled the duties and responsibilities of the Deputy Speaker of the People's Majlis in accordance with legal principles, with integrity and honesty. The statement further noted that he has never shirked his official obligations nor hesitated in discharging his professional responsibilities.

The statement emphasized that no member has been obstructed from fulfilling their duties or responsibilities. It further noted that all necessary arrangements and opportunities have been facilitated to the fullest extent permitted by laws and regulations to ensure members can carry out their mandates.

Nazim stated that he has not engaged in any actions that would create a conflict of interest among Members of Parliament, nor has he abused his authority or sought undue advantages through his position.

In the statement, Nazim asserted that he has fulfilled his duties and responsibilities in accordance with legal principles, ensuring equality and fairness among all members without any discrimination. He further emphasized that he has never acted in violation of laws or regulations to favor any specific political ideology, but has instead worked within the legal framework to provide equal opportunities for all members.

Nazim stated that, in his capacity as the Deputy Speaker of the People's Majlis, he has consistently worked to uphold the rule of law in the Maldives. He further emphasized his commitment to protecting and preserving the rights and privileges of all members impartially and equitably, as prescribed under the Parliamentary Privileges and Powers Act and the Standing Orders of the Majlis.

Despite the circumstances, Nazim stated that since all members of the ruling party's parliamentary group had signed the motion for his removal as Deputy Speaker, he believes it is the most civilized and democratic course of action to step down. He noted that even if the allegations in the motion were untrue, responding to the collective will of nearly everyone who originally voted him into the elected position is a matter of democratic principle.

The statement further noted that Nazim categorically denies all allegations leveled against him without exception, and has formally resigned from his position as the Deputy Speaker of the People’s Majlis.