Best not to include Nasheed and Solih's name in speaker debate, says MP-elect Afeef
Five lawmakers from the main ruling party have expressed interest in becoming parliament speaker
MP-elect for Vilufushi constituency, Ibrahim Shareef
While five main ruling party lawmakers have expressed interest in becoming parliament speaker, one hopeful has spoken against using the names of its top officials in the fight for the post.
Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) leader, former President Mohamed Nasheed has indicated support for North-Hithadhoo constituency MP Mohamed Aslam, and it was recently reported that incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has been lobbying for Vilufushi MP Ibrahim Afeef.
Afeef spoke on RaajjeTV’s Fala Surukhee programme on Sunday, and said it is best not to include Solih and Nasheed’s name in the speaker debate.
Despite Nasheed previously naming Aslam “as someone qualified to be parliament speaker,” Afeef said that he believes that the former president “will act according to party regulations.”
While the party is to hold an internal vote to select nomination for speaker, its parliamentary group is in disagreement on the procedures in electing a speaker and deputy. Given that a number of its MPs have expressed interest in the post, some of them believe that it should be decided through “a secret vote,” while others argue that MDP has always been transparent in such matters.
Speaking on the matter, Afeef said that the parliamentary group “should decide on what the majority wants.”
Afeef also noted that there are some individuals working to use this to cause “friction” within the party, but that both Solih and Nasheed “are working for the betterment of the country.”
The other MDP’s MP’s that have expressed interest in being speaker are; Central-Henveiru constituency MP Ali Azim, North-Hithadhoo constituency MP Mohamed Aslam, Maradhoo constituency MP Ibrahim Shareef, and Addu-Meedhoo constituency MP Rozaina Adam.
