President to deliver his address to Parliament at 9 pm

The first sitting of the first session of People’s Majlis for the year 2018 has been scheduled for 9 pm, this Wednesday.

The sitting will be held at the Rannabandeyri Maalam of Dharubaaruge.

Article 84 of the Constitution dictates the President must deliver his address to the People’s Majlis – declaring the current state of the country and his plans for improvement - at the first sitting of the first session of the year.

The first sitting of the year was originally scheduled for February 5, but was later cancelled due to security concerns amid the current political crisis.

Extraordinary Majlis sittings were held on Monday and Tuesday to pass the President’s Decree for a 15-day State of Emergency on February 5, and grant a 30-day extension to the State of Emergency.

Lawmakers have now been sent invitations for this Wednesday night’s sitting.

The Supreme Court has issued an injunction suspending the implementation of its order on February 1 for the reinstatement of 12 lawmakers who the Elections Commission declared lost their seats due to floor crossing.

The Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), which is in charge of maintaining security at the People’s Majlis, has stated the 12 lawmakers will not be allowed access to Majlis sittings.