No-confidence motion against Maseeh resubmitted with 31 signatures

Opposition lawmakers have resubmitted a no-confidence motion against speaker Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed, on Sunday.

While the previous motion was submitted with the signatures of 26 parliamentarians, 31 MPs signed the motion the second time around.

While Maseeh had survived the no-confidence vote held on March 27, opposition MPs had boycotted the vote due to the decision to carry out a roll call vote against parliament regulations.

• Clauses 164 and 165 state that roll call votes can only be taken if and when there is definite proof that the electronic voting system has an error.

On the day of the vote, prior to carrying out any votes, parliamentary group leader of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) had called for a ‘roll call vote’.

Majlis which began at 9 am on March 27, went into recess after 45 minutes with voting to be held later in the afternoon. However, minutes after resuming the session had to be halted due to protests inside the parliament chambers.

During this break, a number of opposition lawmakers were dismissed from the chambers, while the rest decided to boycott the vote.

The six-point motion accused 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.

Votes of 42 MPs are required to pass the no-confidence motion against the speaker. Maseeh represents President Abdulla Yameen’s faction of PPM, which hold majority in parliament, with 54 MPs. A no-confidence motion against deputy speaker Moosa Manik has been scheduled for Tuesday.