MDP’s battle for speaker: PG nominates ex-president Nasheed, MP Eva as deputy

Main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s parliamentary group has chosen Central-Mahchangolhi constituency MP-elect, former President Mohamed Nasheed as its nominee for parliament speaker, for the upcoming tenure.

The party’s newly elected PG, who are to be sworn in on Tuesday, took a vote to decide its nominee on Monday night, at a meeting held at Dharubaaruge.

The vote was taken with a show of hands.

While 64 MPs attended Monday's meeting, all voted in favor of Nasheed for speaker.

At the meetings, North-Hithadhoo constituency MP Mohamed Aslam- who was a nominee himself- nominated the former president for speaker, highlighting that it is in the best interest for the party.

However, Nasheed declined the request, but was nominated again by Vilufushi constituency MP Hassan Afeef.

While five of the party’s elected MPs had expressed interest in the post, the toughest competition was between Aslam and Afeef; Nasheed had endorsed Aslam while reports of incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih lobbying for Afeef surfaced days ahead of the vote.

To add fuel to the fire, the president had in an interview stated that both Aslam and Afeef are “experienced parliamentarians” and that Afeef is “one of the most” capable persons for the position.

This led to a disagreement within party members, who raised their voice via social media.

Some of the party’s most experienced lawmakers, such as North-Galolhu constituency MP Eva Abdulla, accused cabinet ministers of using undue influence to sway the vote. She claims that some ministers had told the newly elected MPs that development projects will only be carried out if they vote “as told by ministers or the government.”

MP-elect for Central-Maafaannu constituency, Ibrahim Rasheed said that the accused ministers will be summoned to parliament, and penalized.

MP Eva was selected as MDP’s nominee for deputy speaker, with 64 MPs-elect voting for her.

The MPs elected for the 19th parliament, will take oath of office on Tuesday, and as per the constitution, the new lawmakers “shall at the first sitting after the general election elect a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker from its members by secret ballot.”

MDP won 65 seats from the 87-member People's Majlis, in April’s parliamentary election.