Members of the 20th tenure of the People’s Majlis, have taken oath of office.
93 parliamentarians elected to the new Majlis tenure took their oath of office at the inaugural sitting of the new Majlis tenure on Tuesday morning.
The sitting began at 9am and their oath was administered by Chief Justice Ahmed Muthasim Adnan.
The new parliamentarians took an oath to uphold their faith, the rights of the people and to perform their duties with honesty and integrity in accordance with the Constitution of Maldives, and the law.
Secretary General Fathimath Niusha assured that she would provide her full support to the 20th Majlis tenure to fulfil responsibilities.
The People’s National Congress (PNC) achieved a landslide victory in the People’s Majlis elections held earlier this year.
PNC holds a supermajority in the new parliamentary tenure, with 75 out of 93 MPs representing the ruling party.
MP for Fonadhoo constituency Abdul Raheem Abdulla was elected as the Speaker of the 20th Majlis tenure, alongside MP for Dhiggaru constituency Ahmed Nazim as the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, as President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had wanted.
The inaugural sitting, which proceeded after the oath-taking ceremony was chaired by MP for Meedhoo constituency Ahmed Siyam Mohamed.
A provisional committee was established to elect the new speaker and deputy speaker, and a secret ballot was held.
The committee included members representing five parties.
The committee comprised of:
- MP for Feydhoo constituency Ibrahim Didi representing PNC
- MP for Hanimaadhoo constituency Abdul Ghafoor Moosa representing main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)
- MP for Maamigili constituency Gasim Ibrahim representing Jumhooree Party
- MP for North Maafannu constituency Mohamed Nazim representing Maldives National Party (MNP)
- MP for Velidhoo constituency Mohamed Abbas representing Maldives Development Alliance (MDA).
71 lawmakers of out of the 92 that took part in the vote to elect Abdul Raheem as Parliament Speaker, voted in favor.
He vied for the seat against MP for South Hithadhoo constituency Ibrahim Nazil, who received 14 votes. Seven votes were invalid.
Alongside the 75 MPs representing the ruling party in the parliament, four MPs working in alliance with the incumbent administration are included in the 20th Majlis tenure.
Prior to the vote, it was expected that Abdul Raheem would have secured at least 79 votes in his favor.
A total of 78 MPs representing the ruling party took part in the vote, without the inclusion of chair Siyam.
Ahmed Nazim was elected the new Deputy Speaker of Parliament, with 80 votes in favor.
MP for Maradhoo constituency Ahmed Didi, who vied against Nazim, received 12 votes in his favor.
