RaajjeMV has learnt that the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has collected signatures of 25 lawmakers, for an impeachment petition against Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail.

While a lawmaker who wished to remain anonymous told RaajjeMV that the work to collect signatures began on Wednesday, he did not disclose the names of those that signed the petition.

Reports of work to remove Fayyaz surfaced on Wednesday itself, and a number of parliamentarians came to his defense via social media.

While this work is ongoing, RaajjeMV also understands that the matter is yet to be officially brought up at the MDP’s parliamentary group. While a date is yet to even be set for this, the MP that spoke to RaajjeMV said that Speaker Mohamed Nasheed “wants to submit the motion to parliament as soon as possible.”

Fayyaz spoke to some local media outlets since news broke of his possible impeachment, and denied doing anything to warrant a dismissal.

While Article 101 (a) of the Maldivian Constitution states that “a motion expressing want of confidence in a member of the Cabinet may be moved in the People’s Majlis, under the hand of at least ten members, specifying the reasons”, clause (b) states that the ministers in question must be provided a 14-day period to respond.

A majority of the total membership of the People’s Majlis is required for the motion to pass.

While the 19th parliament has yet to dismiss a cabinet member through a vote, two have resigned since being appointed in November 2018 while one, former Tourism Minister Ali Waheed, was fired by the president over sexual abuse allegations.