Now is 'as good a time as any' to elect Maldives' first female speaker: MP Rozaina

Another ruling party MP has expressed interested in the highest post in the People’s Majlis, the Speaker.

Meedhoo constituency MP Rozaina Adam, who was elected for another term in this year’s parliamentary election, made the announcement on RaajjeTV’s Fala Surukhee programme on Tuesday.

She is the fifth Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) representative to express interest in the post.

While the rest are male, Rozaina said that it is time for a woman to be appointed as speaker, adding that she endorses South-Galolhu constituency MP Eva Abdulla as the deputy speaker.

The 19th parliament will comprise of four female MPs, one less than the current one; they are MPs Rozaina and Eva, as well as newcomers Hisaan Hussain for Thulhaadhoo constituency and Jeehaan Mahmood for Hinnavaru.

Noting that MDP has always worked to empower women, Rozaina highlighted that this is one of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s pledges.

“Hence, I believe that now is a good time as any, for a woman to contest for Majlis Speaker and I am interested in doing so,” she added.

Rozaina noted the speaker and deputy speaker must be elected through a secret ballot within in the party’s parliamentary group, saying that the reason for this is because parliamentary group leader and deputy are elected as such.

While MDP has secured a supermajority in the 19th parliament, Rozaina emphasized the importance of strengthening the parliamentary laws.

The newly elected MPs will take the oath of office on May 28, with the Constitution stating that they “shall at the first sitting after the general election elect a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker from its members by secret ballot.”