The Attorney General’s Office has stated that the no-confidence motion against Speaker of Parliament and Former President Mohamed Nasheed, pending at the People’s Majlis, would in no way obstruct the swearing-in of President-elect Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

The Attorney General’s Office asserted this in response to a question posed by Justice Husnu Al Suood during the hearing of the petition submitted by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) at the Supreme Court, regarding the delay in proceeding the no-confidence motion against their estranged former leader and parliament speaker, Nasheed.

During the hearing, Justice Suood questioned whether the issue could obstruct the inauguration preparations of the President-elect.

Responding to this, AG Office revealed that the swearing-in of the President-elect does not fit into the type of issues mentioned in Article 205 (d) of the rules of parliament.

Article 205 (d) of the rules of parliament clearly states that while a no-confidence motion has been moved against the speaker of parliament, no other work can be carried out until the proceedings of the motion are finished first. These issues include parliament debates and issues on which a vote needs to be taken.

The state attorney went on to highlight that the swearing-in of the new president is not something to be debated and decided by the People’s Majlis. As such, it will not be obstructed as the article states that no work relating to debates and decisions-taking can be carried out at parliament.

Some have been saying that there would be room for questioning if Nasheed remains speaker of parliament when President-elect Muizzu is sworn in, at a time the no-confidence motion against him has not been placed on the agenda.

The swearing-in ceremony is to be held at the Republic Square in capital Malé City at 4:45pm on November 17, which falls on a Friday.

The office of the President-elect has revealed that more than 3,500 are scheduled to attend the important event, which is now a little over a week away.

Due to Deputy Speaker of Parliament Eva Abdulla calling in sick once more, the parliament sitting scheduled for Sunday to hear the no-confidence motion against Nasheed, was cancelled. This was the fifth time an attempt of the People’s Majlis to hold the no-confidence motion against Nasheed has failed.

The previous four sittings were cancelled on October 29, 30 and November 1 after Deputy Speaker Eva called in sick on four consecutive days.

The Deputy Speaker must preside over the no-confidence motion against the speaker, according to the rules of the People’s Majlis.

MDP filed a petition at the Supreme Court, seeking to suspend sittings of the People’s Majlis until the no-confidence motion is carried out last week. The petition was accepted and schedule proceeded on Monday.

MDP issued a three-line whip to vote in favor of the no-confidence motion on October 25. Nasheed’s removal from the post of speaker of the People’s Majlis was sought under Article 82(b) of the Constitution of the Maldives.

The notice regarding the no-confidence motion was sent to Nasheed on October 12. The letter addressed to Nasheed, who is also the MP for Central Mahchangoalhi consistency, read that the People’s Majlis received a resolution signed by 49 lawmakers, seeking to remove Nasheed from the post of Parliament Speaker on October 9.

The no-confidence motion was re-submitted against Nasheed with the signatures of 49 lawmakers. Initially, MDP gathered the signatures to pass and submit a no-confidence motion to oust their then leader as Parliament Speaker during June. This came with a move to oust Deputy Speaker Eva as well. However, the no-confidence motions against the Speaker and Deputy Speaker were withdrawn on the basis of maintaining peace and in the best interests of the party.

Although the main ruling party attempted to cooperate with their estranged former leader and his ‘The Democrats’ during the second round of the 2023 Presidential Election, their efforts went down the drains and MDP lost both rounds.

Parliament has been stalled for a week at a time a supplementary budget of MVR 6.5 billion to spend for the remainder of the year has been submitted.

According to Article 75 of the Maldives Constitution, lawmakers must act in the national interest and welfare of the people. No parliamentarian shall use their position to promote the interests of that person or any other person who has a relationship with the member.