Parliament is acting inconsistently; vote to remove Shameem held after his resignation: Mauroof
The MDP has leveled heavy criticism against Parliament for its inconsistent handling of resignations, noting that while proceedings against Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim were halted following his resignation, the house proceeded with a vote to dismiss former Prosecutor General Shameem even after he had stepped down. This discrepancy in parliamentary procedure has sparked widespread public concern over a perceived lack of impartiality and equality in the legislature's decision-making process.
Ahmed Mauroof, Legal Director of the MDP. | RaajjeMV
Ahmed Mauroof, the Legal Director of the opposition MDP, has leveled sharp criticism against the People's Majlis, alleging that the legislative body has been inconsistent in its decision-making processes.
Mauroof made these remarks regarding the discrepancy in the Parliament's procedures during the dismissal proceedings of Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim compared to those of former Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ahmed Nazim resigned from his post shortly before the scheduled start of the sitting to consider a motion for his removal. Following Nazim's resignation, the Parliament decided not to proceed with a vote on the matter. Consequently, the case has been concluded.
However, Mauroof noted that the Parliament had acted in a completely different manner regarding the dismissal of former Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem. Despite Shameem having resigned from his post prior to the scheduled dismissal session, the Parliament proceeded to hold a vote on the matter and passed the motion to remove him from office.
Mauroof expressed significant concern over the inconsistencies in how the Parliament handled these two separate matters.
During the session held to dismiss Shamim, Abdul Ghafoor Moosa, the Member of Parliament for the Hanimaadhoo constituency representing the MDP, raised a point of order to inform the chair that Shameem had already resigned. Ghafoor noted that reports of the resignation were circulating in the media and argued that proceeding with the session without clarifying the matter constituted a procedural issue. However, Deputy Speaker Nazim, who was presiding over the sitting at the time, ruled that it was not a valid point of order. Consequently, the matter was put to a vote, and Shamim was officially removed from his position.
Many have criticized the Parliament's decision to proceed with the removal process of Shameem, questioning the validity of dismissing an individual from a position they had already resigned from.
The parliamentary leadership and the majority party have come under heavy fire from the public for fostering such discriminatory practices within the People's Majlis.
