Speaker Nasheed: Impractical to wait until 28th for parliament sessions

Speaker of the Maldivian Parliament, Mohamed Nasheed has reportedly informed the Director-General of Public Health Maimoonaa Aboobakuru that it was not practical to wait until May 28, to hold actual sessions of the Parliament inside the Parliamentary building.

Nasheed reportedly said in a Whatsapp group of the Parliament that he had observed most MPs wishing to hold actual sessions. The Speaker added that a guideline of how the sessions are to be conducted will be issued by the Parliament’s administration.

“HPA was going to do this on 28th. I have informed Maimoonaa that it was difficult, and we will follow the guidelines.” Said Nasheed.

Nasheed said that he was hesitant to carry out the Parliamentary debates regarding the amendment of the Constitution anywhere other than the Parliament building. He had questioned MPs on their opinions regarding conducting sessions by implementing social distancing. 

Arrangements to conduct actual parliamentary sessions in the Parliamentary building were announced today. Parliament’s Media Director Hassan Ziyau, stated to Sun that the sessions will be held inside the parliamentary building starting from tomorrow onwards under special arrangements.

Only 42 MPs will be allowed inside the session at the same time. Social distancing measures will also be implemented in seating arrangements. Under special arrangements made, MPs will be required to leave the session after voting to make way for the remaining MPs to take part in the vote.