The vote of no confidence on Parliament Speaker Abdullah Maseeh has been thrown out from Parliament.
A letter sent by Deputy Speaker Moosa Manik, stated that the motion was dismissed as Isdhoo Constituency MP had withdrawn his signature and four other MPs had lost their seats. Therefore, the letter said, the motion did not have the required 42 MPs backing the motion.
The letter referred to the Supreme Court ruling, which had nullified the Parliament seats for Thulusdhoo Constituency Member of Parliament Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim, Madduvvari Constituency MP Mohamed Ameeth, Dhihdhoo Constituency MP Abdul Latheef Mohamed and Vilingili Constituency MP Saud Hussain.
Additionally, the letter noted that Elections Commission had announced by-elections for the four Constituencies.
Maseeh’s no confidence motion was sent in on June 3rd, with the signatures of 45 MPs. Eleven MPs from ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) had signed the motion, out of whom 10 had sent in their letters of resignation.
Following this, Attorney General Mohamed Anil had sent in a motion to Supreme Court criminalizing floor crossing, which was passed on the 12th of July. The Supreme Court had also ordered that the Parliament should bring in an ‘anti-defection law’ and until it comes into effect the Supreme Court ruling on floor crossing will be applicable.
