While the voting on the approval of cabinet ministers have been halted, pro-government supporters and officials are currently protesting outside the parliament, calling for the approval of cabinet ministers.
The extraordinary sitting of the parliament, which was scheduled to be held today to decide on the approval of cabinet ministers, has been adjourned due to the decision of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and The Democrats' parliamentary group not to approve some members of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's cabinet.
Voting was planned to commence at 13:30 hrs this afternoon, but at that time, ruling party affiliated parliamentarians disrupted proceedings and entered the chambers of the Speaker.
The MPs also locked the chambers, and took away the voting cards in their attempts to halt proceedings.
While the Parliament Secretariat announced adjourning today's sitting, some members, including those from The Democrats, Maamigili MP Qasim Ibrahim, and Meedhoo MP Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, left the parliament premises.
While the voting has been halted, pro-government supporters and officials are currently protesting outside the parliament, calling for the approval of cabinet ministers.
MDP, which has a majority in parliament, has decided not to vote to approve Attorney General Ahmed Usham, Minister of Housing, Land and Urban Development Dr. Ali Haidar, Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, and Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed.
The Democrats have also said they will not be voting to approve four members of the cabinet. Their list, however, does not include Minister Saeed, instead listing Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer.
Ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People's National Congress (PNC) coalition have said that denying parliamentary approval to President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's cabinet will be tantamount to obstructing the services the government gives to citizens.
"We believe that denying parliamentary approval to ministers without providing them with the opportunity to perform, and without having first judged their performance, is a lack of cooperation with the running of the government, as well as a direct obstruction of the services provided to citizens," the statement read.
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