The parliamentary group of ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has submitted the impeachment motion against parliament speaker and former president Mohamed Nasheed with the signatures of 54 MPs on Wednesday.
MDP decided to move the motion against Nasheed, who is also the president of the ruling party, after accusing him of violating parliamentary procedures and stalling a no-confidence motion against the attorney general.
Adhadhu can confirm that 54 MPs have signed to impeach Nasheed.
Fifty MPs from MDP signed the motion along with Thulusdhoo MP Ibrahim Naseem, Nolhivaram MP Mohamed Nasheed, Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir and Meedhoo MP Ahmed Siyam Mohamed.
There are 56 MDP MPs including Nasheed. The party did not disclose the names of the MPs that did not sign the motion.
A no-confidence motion to remove the speaker or deputy speaker must be submitted with the signatures of no less than one-fourth of parliament's full membership. That is 22 out of the 87 MPs.
According to the constitution, a no-confidence motion can be passed with a simple majority. That is 44 MPs.
