Parliament today rejected a resolution submitted by Galolhu South MP Meekail Naseem raising concerns over delays in scheduling ministerial questioning and not holding Parliament sittings regularly.
A vote to decide on accepting the resolution saw 61 members vote against it, while 11 opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) members voted in favor.
According to Parliament regulations, sittings are required to be held three days a week. However, sittings were not held accordingly, with the Parliament chair citing a lack of scheduled work.
Regulations also stipulate that ministers must be summoned for questioning within 14 days of notice being given, but some ministers have yet to be summoned despite the deadlines nearing.
MP Meekail's resolution argues that Speaker of Parliament is violating parliamentary regulations by delaying both ministerial questioning and regular sittings.
The resolution states that such actions undermine Parliament’s constitutional role in overseeing and holding the executive branch accountable.
During the debate, members of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) defended the Parliament’s operations, stating that its work was proceeding properly. Meanwhile, members of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) accused the Parliament leadership of obstructing Parliament work.
