Extraordinary parliament sitting postponed to 11 am

The extraordinary People’s Majlis sitting, outside the normal legislative session, scheduled for 9 am this Monday has been postponed to 11 am.

Majlis is convening for an extraordinary sitting to make a decision on the State of Emergency invoked by President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom on February 5.

The reason for the postponement is unclear at this point.

The 15-day State of Emergency will end on Tuesday, February 20.

The Constitution calls for the reason for the invocation of a State of Emergency to be submitted to the Majlis within 48 hours. And if a State of Emergency is invoked before the Majlis session begins, then a meeting must be scheduled and a decision made within 14 days.

The declaration of a State of Emergency must be backed by the Majlis. The Majlis has the authority to cancel the decree, and grant any extension to the period.