Vilufushi MP Hassan Afeef is one of the most capable persons for the position of parliament speaker, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

The President said this in an interview at a dinner hosted by current speaker Qasim Ibrahim, on Wednesday night.

In the interview, President Solih said that both Afeef and North Hithadhoo MP Mohamed Aslam are experienced parliamentarians and that he believes that Afeef is "one of the most" capable people to be speaker.

Along with Afeef and Aslam, five members of main ruling Maldivians Democratic Party (MDP) have expressed interest in the role of speaker for the 19th parliament. The others are Addu-Meedhoo MP Rozaina Adam, Maradhoo MDP Ibrahim Shareef, and central-Henveiru MP Ali Azim

A credible source earlier told RaajjeMV that President Solih has been lobbying for Afeef within MDP’s parliamentary group while party leader Mohamed Nasheed has been lobbying for Aslam.

The vote to appoint the new speaker will be taken at the special inaugural ceremony of the 19th parliament on May 28. The Constitution dictates that a secret vote be taken unless MPs vote for another option.