Members of the opposition have stated that a total of 51 signatories will back the no confidence motion against parliamentary speaker Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed on Wednesday.
Local news Mihaaru earlier reported that, according to credible sources, the motion was signed by parliament members hailing from the opposition coalition, along with a number of lawmakers from the out-going Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). Further details on the signatories were not provided.
This is the third attempt to impeach MP Maseeh over the past 18 months. An initial roll call vote deemed MP Maseeh fit to serve in his position whereas in the second attempt 45 signatories voted against him.
However, 12 of the 45 lawmakers backing the motion were ousted by the Elections Commission, thereby nullifying the vote.
Although only 15 signatures were previously required to file the motion, following amendments made to the parliamentary regulations in 2017, at least 42 signatures are currently required.
Kinbidhoo MP Abdulla Riyaz: The no confidence motion against parliamentary speaker Maseeh has been filed at the parliament with a total of 51 signatures. The signatures of 8 lawmakers undergoing trial at the Supreme Court have not been included in the motion.
MP Riyaz expresses hope that the deputy parliamentary speaker will continue to carry out the parliamentary sittings.
A motion to free former president Mohamed Nasheed has also been filed at the parliament with a total of 49 signatories.
Meedhoo MP Rozaina Adam: It is best if Maseeh resigns from his post. We have never been barred from entering the parliament. However, upon filing the censure motion against Maseeh, we were barred from entering the parliament. Today we have taken a step towards the freedom of the parliament.
MP Rozaina: Former President Nasheed’s trial was not fair. External bodies had called onto conduct a free and fair trial for the former President.
We hope that Nasheed will arrive to the Maldives on 1st of November as a free man.
Submitted resolution to Parliament, calling for the implementation of the UNWGAD and UN Human Rights Committee decisions calling for the release of President @MohamedNasheed. Submitted with cross- party support, with 49 signatures. pic.twitter.com/mTIErm8mGb
— Eva Abdulla 🎈❓ (@evattey) October 24, 2018
Kinbidhoo MP Riyaz calls for a parliamentary sitting to be held on Thursday, highlighting the importance of the motion to free former president Nasheed among all leaders of the opposition parties.
The 15 ruling party lawmakers who signed the no confidence motion were Riyaz Rasheed, Ahmed ‘Redwave’ Saleem, Ibrahim Shujau, Hussain Manik Dhon Manik, Ali Fazad, Ahmed Rasheed, Azhan Fahmy, Nazim Rashad, Ahmed Rasheed Ibrahim, Umar Hussain, Ahmed Assad, Hussain Mohamed Latheef, Muaz Mohamed Rasheed, Ahmed Mubeen, and Yamin Rasheed.
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