MP Afeef under investigation for allegedly breaching Members' privileges

The Member’s Privileges and Ethics Committee of the parliament has decided to investigate the decision of Vilufushi MP Hassan Afeef to dismiss the no-confidence motion against Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed.

According to the Parliament Secretariat, a complaint has been filed with the committee alleging that MP Afeef, who presided over this morning's parliament sitting, violated the privileges of the members of parliament.

A committee meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. today to discuss the issue.

The no-confidence motion was held today, two weeks after the notice expired. However, The Democrats contended that the motion did not include a preamble, citing that the resolution by the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) was in violation of parliament regulations.

Sunday's sitting was concluded with MP Afeef declaring the motion was in violation of the parliament regulation.

According to some parliamentarians, MP Afeef's decided not to proceed with the sitting despite parliament's Secretary General Fathimath Niusha's advise against it.

After the conclusion of this morning's sitting, Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla chaired another session. However, Eva concluded the proceedings by stating that the matter could not be further addressed as the chair had made a decision on the resolution.