The Parliament of the Maldives has rejected the no-confidence motions against Speaker Mohamed Nasheed and Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla after members revoked their signature.
The Parliamentary Group (PG) of the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has decided to withdraw the no-confidence motions against Speaker Nasheed and Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla. However, at the last sitting, Speaker Nasheed said that the Parliament has to move forward with his no-confidence motion, as it has the required 22 signatures. The no-confidence motion against Speaker Nasheed was submitted with 54 signatures but only 25 members initially requested that the motion be withdrawn.
The Democrats PG proposed that the Parliamentary Committee of the Whole House assign time for the Parliament to move forward with the motion. However the MDP PG reiterated its decision to withdraw the motion by resolving the relevant issues. Following negotiations during recess, Parliamentarian Hassan Afeef, who presided over the sitting, said that the motions have been rejected as the number of signatures in the no-confidence motions have been reduced below 22.
The MDP PG submitted a no-confidence motion against Deputy Speaker Eva with 50 signatures on May 23 and against Speaker Nasheed with 54 signatures on June 14. The removal of the speaker or deputy speaker requires a majority vote from parliamentarians. Specifically, if all 87 members are present, a minimum of 44 members must vote in favor for the no-confidence motion to pass.