Allegations against Nasheed on intent to further obstruct no confidence motion

Allegations have risen that former President and current Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed intends to obstruct efforts to proceed with the no confidence motion against him until the Presidential Inauguration scheduled to be held on November 17.

It is said that Nasheed will continue obstructing the motion despite the Supreme Court having ruled yesterday that the motion can, and must, proceed even in the absence of the Deputy Speaker.

The case was submitted by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) following numerous failed attempts to conduct a parliament sitting to confer on a no-confidence motion the party had submitted against Speaker Nasheed.

The secretariat maintained that they could not conduct the sittings as Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla remained on sick leave and the parliament regulations stipulated that only the Deputy Speaker can preside over a sitting overseeing a no confidence motion against the Speaker.

MDP contested the secretariat's interpretation in Supreme Court and stated that in situations where both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker are unable to preside, one of the five longest serving parliamentarians can take their place.

The Supreme Court ruled that the regulations should not be interpreted in a manner that could bring the functioning of the parliament to a standstill. The court said in its verdict that there were no provision in the regulation prohibiting the five MPs from presiding in such situations.

MDP further appealed to the apex court to rule that no other work can be conducted in parliament without first deciding on the matter of no confidence.

In relation to this, Supreme Court ruled that the Parliament must conduct all work made compulsory to them through the Constitution, even in the instance that a Speaker's no confidence motion remains parked.

Messaging in a Whatsapp group of parliamentarians, Mohamed Nasheed misconstrued the verdict of the Supreme Court as directing that the no confidence motion must be obstructed for the next seven days until the Presidential Inauguration.

"It will be easy to do. At the most, there's only eight members even in MPD who are behind this," Nasheed's message read.

Addu Meedhoo constituency MP Rozaina Adam shared screenshots of said messages on social media, claiming that Nasheed is attempting to hold on to his position despite the SC verdict.

Hulhumale' MP Ali Niyaz said that they have received information that Nasheed and other members of The Democrats intend to present obstruction to the no confidence proceedings.

He said that MDP wanted to hold a parliament sitting on the same night following the SC verdict to decide on the no confidence motion, but that it was made impossible due to constraints of time.

Parliament Secretariat has since scheduled the sitting for Sunday morning at nine.

However, there are rumours circulating on social media that Nasheed is currently not well, and may be unable to attend parliament sittings next week.

The allegations claim that The Democrats intend to only allow other work, including that of the budget, to proceed in parliament until the Inauguration of President Elect Dr Mohamed Muizzu.