The opposition coalition declared that they do not feel the need to respond to President Abdulla Yameen's Presidential Address to inaugurate the parliament for 2018 on Wednesday.
All the opposition members had boycotted the sitting claiming that they do not believe this was done according to the law.
In a press conference by the opposition, MP Ahmed Mahloof stated that the opposition coalition had decided not to take part in the parliament sitting as it was unconstitutional. He also noted that 12 lawmakers from the opposition were banned from entering the parliament.
Mahloof stated that since the sitting defied the law, the opposition does not see the need to respond to the Presidential Address.
The MP noted that they have had a lot of victories since they began the reformation movement. He pointed out that Prosecutor General Aishath Bishama had also declared that the extension of the state of emergency resolution, which was passed from the parliament, was unconstitutional.
He urged everyone to continue the reformation work and not to back down.
The opposition continues to protest in support of the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on February 1 to release political prisoners and reinstate unseated lawmakers. However, the top court had later revoked the order to release the prisoners, and issued a stay order on enforcing the reinstatement of the disqualified parliamentarians. The court has also issued a temporary order to enforce the extension of the state of emergency, until it gives its conclusive interpretation on the complication that arose during the controversial vote in the parliament Tuesday evening.
Sign In