Members were removed from parliament sitting against regulations: Minority leader

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Nazil has stated that the Speaker acted in contravention of the Parliament Regulations in announcing the names of MDP MPs and removing them from the parliament floor for protesting when the Presidential Address was being delivered today.

In the year's first parliamentary sitting held today, MDP MPs gathered near the podium as President Dr Mohamed Muizzu began delivering the Presidential Address and raised their voices in protest.

The Speaker advised them to desist their protesting three times, which the MPs ignored. The Speaker then announced their names for withdrawal from the sitting, and adjourned the sitting. Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla then left the floor with the President.

It was resumed after the opposition MPs that had been protesting were removed through assistance of security. While some walked out on request, two MPs were removed physically by security personnel.

Once removed from parliament, Nazil joined protesters gathered on Sosun Magu, the closest point to the parliament today with many roads having been blocked off by Police for security reasons. There, he spoke to media, stating that the MPs' names had been announced while they were peacefully demonstrating and raising concerns.

Nazil said that after this, 8 MPs were removed forcibly in the absence of the Speaker, which is against Parliament Regulations.

He said that the MPs had repeatedly stated that they would willingly leave once Speaker Abdul Raheem returned to his seat.

Nazil, who is serving his second term in parliament, said that so far in history, security has not physically handled any MPs in the absence of a Speaker or other MP chairing the sitting.

The Presidential Address was delivered after removing 8 MDP MPs.