Joint opposition parties say that President Abdullah Yameen had lost the Parliament majority.

A joint statement released by the parties said that Monday’s submission of the no confidence motion has proven that President Yameen had lost the super majority he and his faction had enjoyed in the parliament.

‘We urge the independent institutions, the judiciary, security services, our international development partners to respect the wish of the people and the decision of the majority of the parliament,’ the statement read.

‘The wish of the joint coalition of political parties is to ensure a free and fair presidential election in 2018 where candidates of parties’ choosing will be allowed to contest. Furthermore, the joint coalition will work to establish the integrity of independent institutions, reverse unconstitutional and undemocratic laws, and secure freedom for all individuals who have been arrested, under investigation, on trial, or convicted of politically motivated charges, prevent political influence within security services and ensure the independence of the judiciary,’ it reads.

The statement also said that it was ‘pivotal that parliamentarians are allowed to perform their Constitutional duties’, given the current situation and urged security services and independent institutions to prevent abuse of laws.

The statement noted the March agreement signed by Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Elected Leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Leader Mohamed Nasheed, Jumhooree Party (JP) Leader Qasim Ibrahim and Adhaalath Party (AP) Leader Sheikh Imran Abdullah was signed because of widespread corruption facilitated by the government, the politicisation of independent institutions, mismanagement of the economy, brutalising of citizens and encroachment of individual liberties.

‘President Abdulla Yameen was elected on a mandate to govern through a coalition government. However, the support extended to President Yameen by his coalition partners including his own party has now been withdrawn. In the recent Local Council Elections, President Yameen’s faction of PPM won only 27% of the vote,’ the statement read.