Parliament sitting cut short after MPs refuse to leave

The first sitting of the third session of the Parliament was cut short on Monday, after MPs whose names were called for disruptive behavior refused to leave the chamber.

Opening the sitting – held after a long recess – the Parliament speaker, former president Mohamed Nasheed announced that the legislative body has not received letters from MPs who joined The Democrats – confirming the change in their party.

He said that changes to the composition of the Parliament’s permanent committees cannot be made until the Parliament receives the letters.

This drew immediate outrage from MPs from the main ruling MDP – a party Nasheed had co-founded, and had led until June this year.

He announced the names of three MPs, and asked them to leave the chamber; Dhaandhoo MP Yauqoob Abdulla, Kelaa MP Ibrahim Shareef, and North Thinadhoo MP Abdul Mughni.

The three MPs refused to leave the chamber, and continued to disrupt the sitting.

Nasheed adjourned the sitting for a break.

However, the MPs remained at the chamber when the sitting re-adjourned.

Following their defiance, Nasheed decided to continue the sitting by treating the MPs as absent.

This drew more anger from the MPs, and Nasheed named a fourth person – Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa, who was told to leave the chamber after he sat on the chair reserved for government ministers.

Nasheed said that the Parliament has a huge workload, and that it was crucial to recompose the committees so the work can be conducted.

He repeatedly implored MPs not to disrupt the Parliament’s functioning.

He said that he did not wish to forcibly expel MPs, despite being authorized to do so.

MPs continued to flout Nasheed’s instructions, and the Kelaa MP, too, sat down on the chair designated for ministers.

Nasheed eventually announced he was ending the sitting, saying that the MPs weren’t allowing him to continue.