South-Kulhudhuffushi MP Mohamed Nasheed did not participate in the parliament vote to extend the state of emergency.

The motion to extend the state of emergency to 30 days passed with 38 votes in the second extraordinary sitting held on Tuesday.

MP Nasheed was one of the 40 MPs present during the voting, including Speaker Abdulla Maseeh.

Nasheed had criticized the declaration of the state of emergency in an earlier sitting, saying that it had revoked some Constitutional rights illegally. These are articles 99, 101, 113, and 228 of the Constitution.

It is not clear why Nasheed did not give his vote, but opposition MPs who have also not participated in the voting have thanked him.

The ruling party’s Central-Fuvahmulah MP Ali Fazal had also not given his vote.