MP shamheed calls for Deputy Speaker to chair parliament sittings

South Hulhumalé MP Dr Ahmed Shamheed has accused Parliament Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla of acting in violation of parliamentary regulations, saying efforts will be made to transfer the chair of parliamentary sittings to Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim.

As per accusations from Shamheed and members of MDP, ministers not being summoned to answer questions being posed to them is something that is being done against the rules by Speaker Abdul Raheem. 

There was a time when some MDP members had attended Parliament sittings without their ties as a form of protest.

During today's sitting, Shamheed said that Article 98 of the Constitution and Article 81 of the Parliament Regulations state that ministers are obligated to attend. Shamheed accused Speaker Abdul Raheem that he runs Parliament in violation of these articles.

"From today onwards, we will begin taking action against the Speaker under Article 42 and Article 43 of the Parliament Regulations for conducting sittings in violation of Article 81 of the Parliament Regulations," said Shamheed.

Shamheed also noted that Articles 42 and 43 of the Parliament Regulations provide grounds for the Deputy Speaker to assume the Speaker’s role. Article 42 allows the Deputy Speaker to take over if the position of Speaker is vacant or if the Speaker excuses themselves from fulfilling their duties. Article 43 permits the Deputy Speaker to assume the Speaker’s responsibilities for a full sitting or part of a sitting under other circumstances.

While PNC has a super majority in Parliament, there are only 12 MDP MP's in Parliament.