Parliament’s Counsel General Fathimath Filza had left the chamber during the vote to extend the state of emergency.

The motion passed with 38 votes in an extraordinary sitting held on Tuesday.

South-Galolhu MP Ahmed Mahloof said Counsel General Filza left after preparing for the vote and talking to Speaker Abdulla Maseeh. It appears that the Counsel General and the pro-government Speaker had a difference of opinion on the validity of calling for a vote.

Mahloof said everyone saw her leave, which was also seen on live TV.

RaajjeTV was unable to contact Fizla for a response.

Article 87(b) of the Constitution states that voting on any matter requiring compliance of citizens shall only be undertaken when more than half of the total membership of the parliament are present at the sitting.

At the sitting, Maseeh cited article 38 of the parliament regulations as saying that the compliance of citizens is not needed to extend the state of emergency, and so called for a vote with only 40 MPs present.

It is not clear whether the counsel general, who is the highest authority in giving legal advice in parliament, had approved Maseeh’s decision.