The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has stated that it will not accept President Elect Dr Mohamed Muizzu's oath of office in November's swearing in ceremony unless Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed is removed from his position prior to that.
MDP stated that it is important that the new president assumes office in a ceremony held with a Speaker that holds the confidence of parliamentarians.
On Wednesday, MDP has issued a three-line whip for the no-confidence vote on Nasheed, which has been tabled for Sunday. The party, however, alleges that Nasheed intends to prolong the matter by obstructing Sunday's parliament sitting.
"Our party will not accept an oath taken on November 17 under the current Speaker, without having first conducted this (no-confidence) vote, as that of a President who has assumed office rightfully as per the laws. That is what we have conferred," MDP Parliamentary Group (PG) Leader Mohamed Aslam told the press.
Meedhoo MP Rozaina Adam said that the party will do everything necessary to ensure that the no confidence vote against Nasheed is conducted. She stated that they would not allow any work in the parliament to proceed without first taking this vote, and that any work that is done would be considered to be against regulations.
"The President's swearing in ceremony must be held with a Parliament Speaker who holds the confidence of the parliament. We cannot a Speaker who has lost all our confidence, who is remaining in the post against regulations, refusing to let the vote proceed, to preside over such a significant ceremony. If the President is sworn in like this, in an unlawful ceremony, then we cannot approve any cabinet proposed by him," Rozaina said.
Kimbindhoo MP Mohamed Nashiz also echoed that the President's swearing in ceremony would not be legally acceptable if it was conducted with Nasheed as Speaker without conducting the no-confidence vote first.
"It will be a direct 'No' from us to any cabinet that the President proposes if he takes oath of office under Nasheed without the parliament first having decided on the matter of his no-confidence," he said.
MDP members alleged that Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla plans to not attend Sunday's session, and to not allow the session to be held. They also alleged that the Majlis Secretariat may further delay the no-confidence motion, and attempt to continue regular sessions from Monday.
The no-confidence motion against Nasheed was submitted earlier in October with 49 votes from MDP. This is the second time that such a motion has been submitted to parliament. After numerous delays, the first motion was withdrawn during the run up to the second round of September's presidential election.
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