MP Faris Maumoon, who has been spearheading Monday’s motion of no-confidence against parliament speaker Abdulla Maseeh, said that the speaker has continually encouraged laws that violate the spirit of the constitution. 

At the parliament recess ahead of the vote, MP Maumoon said that Maseeh, despite his duty to hold the government accountable, has instead ‘done whatever he pleased’. 

He commented, in his ‘capacity as a parliamentary representative’, further that Maseeh has been a hindrance to ensuring constituents their rights. 

MP Maumoon had also presented the motion during Monday’s sitting, where he primarily noted Maseeh to have barred lawmakers from summoning ministers for questioning, and accused the speaker of favouritism in appointing members to parliament review committees.

The motion requires a two-thirds majority of the 64 members that are present. 

The motion of no-confidence against Maseeh was filed on 8th March, and accuses Maseeh of ‘refusing to ensure’ equality in parliament, disregarding the rule of law, disrespecting the system of checks and balances, disregard for procedure, and ‘subverting’ democracy.