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Parliament sitting canceled over lack of quorum with only 13 MPs present

Aug 28, 2023, 7:57 AM

Speaker Nasheed presiding over sitting. -- Photo: Majlis

The third sitting of parliament's third session of the year could not be held as scheduled today with only 13 MPs in attendance.

A minimum of 22 out of the 87 MPs are required to be present for a quorum.

The ruling Maldivian Democratic Party-majority (MDP) parliament has been deadlocked since the second session of the year, ceasing to function after a no-confidence motion was submitted to remove Speaker Mohamed Nasheed.

The MDP moved to impeach Nasheed over his conduct in response to MPs from a breakaway faction who started criticizing the government in parliament. A no-confidence motion was also filed against Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla.

Parliament has been deadlocked since then as both Nasheed and Eva refused to preside over sittings.

The main item on the agenda for Monday's canceled sitting was a proposal by the MDP to reconstitute standing committees after some MPs left the party.

Majlis 19 PPM/PNC Coalition The Democrats Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)

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