Parliament has concluded its vote on cabinet approval, denying approval for three members of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's cabinet.
The three who did not receive parliament approval are Attorney General Ahmed Usham, Minister of Housing, Land and Urban Development Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed and Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed.
AG Usham received 24 votes in favour, 44 against
Dr Haidar received 23 votes in favour, 46 against
Dr Shaheem received 30 votes in favour, 31 against, with 8 abstentions
Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon and Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer received approval through unanimous votes from all MPs present in today's sitting.
Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party had also announced it would refuse approval to Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed, but he received approval with a total of 37 votes in favour.
The minimum number of votes required to receive parliament approval is 35 votes.
Out of 22 members of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's cabinet, 19 have received parliamentary approval.
Article 129 of the Constitution stipulates that the cabinet must be sent for parliamentary approval within 7 days of appointment. However, neither the Constitution nor other laws detail what happens in the instance approval is denied.
A previous Supreme Court ruling on the matter states that a minister is not stripped of his post even if he does not receive parliament approval. Instead, he can only be dismissed from his position if decided by the President, or if he submits his own resignation. The order states that unless he is dismissed in this manner, a minister can remain in his position de facto.
People's National Congress (PNC) Chairperson and Special Advisor to the President Abdul Raheem Abdulla has earlier said that in the instance parliament approval is denied, there is no legal restriction to reappointing the same individual to the position again.
Sign In