Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is seeking a remedy through Supreme Court for the no-confidence motion against Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed.
The no-confidence motion, signed by 49 MDP parliamentary members, was put on agenda of Sunday's sitting, October 29. However, the sitting was cancelled since parliament Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla called in sick.
Velidhoo MP Mohamed Abdulla Shafeeq (Mode) said that the ruling party has decided to seek a remedy for the no-confidence motion's hold-up through the apex court.
The MP said Article 44 of the parliament regulation provides remedy on proceeding parliament sittings in case the Deputy Speaker cannot preside as chair, which states that the one out of the five of the longest-serving MPs in the parliament at the time, can be appointed to preside as the chair.
The regulation further provides instructions on situations that are not prescribed explicitly in it, the MP said.
As per Article 250 of the regulations, if parliament proceedings cannot reach a conclusion through the prescribed law or regulations of the parliament, it should address the issue according to the general principles followed by legislative bodies of other presidential sovereign states.
"The regulation does not grant any authority to the speaker or the deputy speaker to interrupt the parliament's flow in any manner," the MP said.
MDP, which holds parliament majority, further said it would not support any parliamentary proceedings without first addressing Nasheed's no-confidence.
The party further stated that it would not accept President-elect Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's official oath-taking ceremony scheduled for November 17 if Nasheed continues as the parliament speaker. Additionally, the party declared it would not endorse Dr. Muizzu's cabinet under these circumstances.
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