Rumours that parliament speaker Mp Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed has decided to resign from his position, began circulation late Tuesday.
Local media Mihaaru claimed to have received a text message from the parliament speaker's mobile number.
The text sent to Mihaaru states that "As a majority of MP's have signed a motion of no-confidence against me, in accordance with section 82 of the Constitution of Maldives, I have decided to resign from my position as The Speaker."
Reports of MP Maseeh's alleged resignation come amid preparations by 45 lawmakers to file a motion of no confidence against MP Maseeh on Wednesday. Some signatories backing the motion hail from the out-going Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).
This is the third attempt to impeach MP Maseeh over the past 18 months. An initial roll call vote deemed MP Maseeh fit to serve in his position whereas in the second attempt 45 signatories voted against him. However, 12 of the 45 lawmakers backing the motion were ousted by the Elections Commission, thereby nullifying the vote.
Although only 15 signatures were previously required to file the motion, following amendments made to the parliamentary regulations in 2017, at least 42 signatures are currently required.
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