The legislature has become deadlocked and ceased to function with no arrangements made to hold today's sitting in the absence of an MP to preside as chair.
Despite the opposition saying previously that parliament was deadlocked, work still continued. But today's sitting was not put in the agenda and the notice required to hold a sitting was not sent.
The rules require the speaker of parliament to preside over sittings. But speaker Mohamed Nasheed, president of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), has recused himself after a no-confidence motion was moved against him.
In accordance with section 44 of the rules, Nasheed delegated presiding over sittings to Vilufushi MP Hassan Afeef. But the rules state that an MP assigned as such could only chair three consecutive sittings.
He presided over three consecutive sittings with yesterday's sitting.
According to section 44(a) of the rules, if the speaker recuses himself from presiding, the speaker must assign five MPs to chair based on seniority or length of service.
It is unclear whether Nasheed has assigned an MP other than Afeef as chair.
As well as Nasheed, a no-confidence motion has also been filed to remove deputy speaker Eva Abdulla. Despite the rules requiring debate on the motion to take place last week, the sitting was not held.
MDP MPs say committees remain in place and that it is the duty of the secretary general to call meetings. But committees could not be reconstituted after parties failed to reach an agreement through discussions last week. The speaker is required to constitute committees in consultation with the majority leader and minority leader.
While the rules required the general affairs committee to determine procedures for the sitting to impeach Eva, the committee has not been reconstituted due to the failure to agree on the new composition.
Section 205(c) of the rules state that the secretary general must officially inform the speaker and MPs within three days and send notice after a motion is filed to remove the speaker or deputy speaker. The sitting for impeaching the speaker must be held in the first sitting on a non-holiday after 14 days from the date of the notice.
