President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has expressed regret that the People’s Majlis went into recess without voting on bill to empower two major commissions, despite the government having majority in parliament.

The two commissions, formed by the president, are, Commission on Investigation of Murders and Enforced Disappearances and the Commission on Corruption and Asset Recovery.

While the last parliament sitting of the year was held last Saturday, the MPs were to take a vote on the bill to give more powers to the two presidential commissions.

However, they were unable to vote that day due to lack of quorum. Opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) MPs opposed the bill.

Noting that there are 46 lawmakers in the Joint Parliamentary Group, President Solih said that it is “saddening” that 43 of them were unable to attend sitting on voting day.

Responding to a question whether there is a possibility of an extraordinary parliament sitting, to vote on the matter, the president said that he does not wish to ask the parliamentarians to attend a sitting while they are in recess.

President Solih added that he has “full confidence” that the lawmakers of the Joint Parliamentary Group will pass the bill.

The next parliament sitting will be held in February 2019.