Former President Mohamed Nasheed has called on lawmakers to support the no-confidence motion against parliament speaker Abdulla Maseeh. 

At a joint-party assembly held at the Jumhooree Party’s primary rally site, Kunooz, Nasheed said that all parties need to unite to ensure justice and freedom for citizens. Nasheed, who is scheduled to be in Sri Lanka until the motion is voted on, spoke through a video call on Sunday night. 

“I call on all parties to not back a sinking ship, especially since their unabashed duplicity and tyranny has become a public concern” he said. 

Further, Nasheed said that Maseeh had continuously presided over laws that have restricted rights of expression, and represents a government that has proven itself to be a public health hazard – in reference to the recent flu outbreak – and one that abuses state institutions and uses them as political weapons. 

READ MORE: Revenue Authority not a 'political weapon': Ex-President

He further accused the government for having violated international standards of governance and hindered the stability of the Indian Ocean – and in doing has done irreparable damage to the Maldives’ reputation in the international community. 

The motion of no-confidence against Maseeh, filed on 8th March, entered parliament on Monday.

The six-point motion further accuses Maseeh of ‘refusing to ensure’ equality in parliament, disregarding the rule of law, disrespecting the system of checks and balances, disregard for procedure, and ‘subverting’ democracy.