The ruling Progressive Party of Maldives-People's National Congress (PPM-PNC) coalition has filed no-confidence motions signed by 23 MPs against Parliament Speaker Mohamed Aslam and Deputy Speaker Ahmed Saleem.
The no-confidence motions against Hithadhoo Uthuru MP Mohamed Aslam, who presides over sittings, and Hoarafushi MP Ahmed Saleem were submitted to Parliament by Minority Leader Moosa Siraj, PNC MP for Fonadhoo.
The no-confidence motion accused Aslam of violating section 200 of Parliament's rules of procedure as well as articles 70 and 75 of the Constitution while presiding over Sunday's sitting.
The Government Oversight Committee decided at a meeting on December 10, 2023 to approve all ministers and the committee report asked for the issue to be tabled in the agenda at the Parliament floor as soon as possible, the no-confidence motion stated. But the item was placed on the agenda eight days after the report was sent to the floor, it added.
The no-confidence motion against Saleem accused him of failing to take any action in his capacity as Deputy Speaker to stop the Speaker's alleged unconstitutional conduct. He failed to ensure that Parliament's proceedings were in line with the rules and the Constitution, it added.
Before adjourning Sunday's sitting in the morning, Aslam announced that the approval of ministers would be put to a vote at 1:30 pm. However, government coalition MPs obstructed proceedings and prevented the sitting from resuming.
Government officials who gathered to protest near Parliament after the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and The Democrats decided to reject some ministerial appointments also called for Aslam's resignation.
Composition of Parliament
- 44 MDP MPs
- 14 PNC MPs
- 13 Democrats MPs
- 2 PPM MPs
- 2 Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) MPs
- 2 Maldives National Party (MNP) MPs
- 2 Jumhooree Party (JP) MPs
- 3 Independent MPs
The government currently does not have the majority needed to push through the impeachment motions.
As the MDP has 44 seats in the current 82-member house and since The Democrats are now working with the main opposition party, the no-confidence motions are not expected to pass.
Aslam and Saleem were appointed as Speaker and Deputy Speaker on November 14 after their predecessors, former President Mohamed Nasheed and Eva Abdulla, resigned from the posts ahead of impeachment votes.
