Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed has recused himself from presiding over parliamentary sittings.
In a letter to the Secretary-General of the Parliament Fathimath Niusha, Speaker Nasheed said he is voluntarily abstaining from fulfilling his duty of presiding over parliamentary sittings until a decision is taken on the no-confidence motion against him, signed by many members of his party, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). He further said that he will continue to fulfill other responsibilities to the extent stipulated in the parliamentary regulations. He added that he will refrain from taking any action that might interfere with the responsibilities of the secretary-general or the duties to the public while the no-confidence motion is ongoing.
The Parliamentary Group (PG) of MDP submitted a no-confidence motion against Speaker Nasheed with 54 signatures. The removal of the speaker or deputy speaker requires a majority vote from parliamentarians. Specifically, a minimum of 44 members must vote in favour of the no-confidence motion to pass if all 87 members are present.
The secretary-general is responsible for providing notice to the parliamentarians and the speaker within three days of receiving a no-confidence motion. The motion is then scheduled to be discussed during the earliest sitting that takes place 14 days after the notice is given. The Parliament can resume its regular proceedings and address other matters after a decision is reached on the no-confidence motion.
Meanwhile, the 14-day notice period for Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla to respond to her own no-confidence motion expired on June 11, but no sitting was convened. The responsibility of presiding over the next sitting falls on Speaker Nasheed. However, in the event that both the speaker and deputy speaker are unable to preside, a member will be selected to assume the role of presiding over the sitting in accordance with the parliamentary regulations.