People’s Majlis has elected Eva Abdulla as Deputy Speaker for the 19th Parliament.

The south-Galolhu MP was elected as Deputy Speaker alongside Central-Mahchangolhi MP and former President Mohamed Nasheed as Parliament Speaker, through a secret ballot at the first sitting of the 19th Parliament on Tuesday night.

Eva secured 76 votes through the secret ballot. She was nominated by North Hithadhoo MP Mohamed Aslam and no other name was nominated for the position.

A five-member committee was established to count the votes. It consisted of Hisaan Hussain (MDP), Saud Hussain (independent), Ahmed Shiyam (PPM), Mohamed Saeed (PNC), and Ali Hameed (JP).

The MPs elected for the 19th parliament, have taken their oath of office on Tuesday, and as per the constitution, the new lawmakers elected a speaker and a deputy speaker from its members by secret ballot, at the first sitting after the general election.

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