The Parliament has scheduled the no-confidence motion against Parliament Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Nazim, for next Sunday.
While the debate regarding the resolution to pass the no-confidence vote against Nazim has been scheduled for Sunday's sitting, that day marks the final sitting of the current term. Furthermore, the term of the parliament was extended until Sunday after the motion against Nazim had been submitted.
Members are allocated 50 minutes to debate the resolution. Meanwhile, it has been decided to grant Nazim 10 minutes to respond.
The decision to submit the motion to remove Nazim from his post was made during a meeting held by the parliamentary group of the ruling party, PNC. Following that meeting, 73 members of PNC signed the resolution to remove Nazim from office.
According to the resolution submitted to the parliament with the signatures of 73 parliamentary group members of PNC to pass the no-confidence motion against Nazim, one of the reasons cited for the no-confidence motion is the allegation that he uses the influence of his position to obtain undue advantages. The second allegation stated in the resolution is that he encourages the disruption of the parliament's harmony and evades responsibility.
The resolution states that because it is "clear to see" that Nazim has shown bias in fulfilling his official duties, he has comprehensively neglected to protect the rights and privileges of all members. The resolution further noted that because Nazim acts in this manner, "the Deputy Speaker has become an obstacle" to the members in fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted to them.
According to the parliamentary regulations, a motion to remove the Deputy Speaker can only be submitted through a resolution carrying the signatures of not less than one-fourth of the total membership. This amounts to 24 members.
However, according to the regulations, the Deputy Speaker can be removed from office by a majority vote of the members present and voting at the parliamentary sitting.
Out of the 93 members in the parliament, the number of PNC members stands at 76. While rumors have spread that there is tension within PNC alongside the no-confidence issue of Nazim, Baarashu Constituency Member Ibrahim Shujau, who belongs to PNC, has stated that the no-confidence motion against Nazim will be passed.
Nazim secured the post of Deputy Speaker after receiving 80 votes in the vote taken among the members of the parliament. MDP's Maradhoo Constituency Member Ahmed Didi, who contested against Nazim, received 12 votes. While the decision was made to remove him from the post of Deputy Speaker, he had also previously served as the Deputy Speaker in the 17th Parliament.
