Democrats: Nasheed no-confidence motion cannot be scheduled amid court case

The Parliament cannot schedule the no-confidence motion against Speaker Mohamed Nasheed before the Supreme Court makes a decision in the petition filed over the legislative body’s standing orders, says Ali Azim, the parliamentary group leader of the Democrats, who which the former president belongs.

Nasheed’s former party, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has filed a no-confidence motion against him with the endorsement of 49 lawmakers. Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla, Nasheed’s cousin and fellow Democrats member, has been on sick leave since Sunday – thwarting the motion.

MDP has filed a petition with the Supreme Court, seeking its guidance to process the motion.

In a letter addressed to the Parliament’s Secretary General Fathimath Niusha on Wednesday, Azim said the Democrats do not believe the motion can be scheduled before the Supreme Court makes a decision in the petition.

“Given that a parliamentary debate and decision on the same subject, while the petition submitted by the MDP is at the Supreme Court could constitute to judicial influence, we do not believe this motion can be tabled before a decision is made on the petition,” he wrote.

Despite Azim’s appeal, the no-confidence motion against Nasheed has been tabled for Sunday. It marks the fifth time for the motion to be tabled.

The Parliament’s standing orders dictate that sittings must be chaired by the Deputy Speaker in the event of a no-confidence motion against the Speaker. However, it does not provide explicit instructions on what to do if both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are indisposed of.

However, MDP believes that the sitting to hear the motion can be chaired in accordance with the standard practice for general sittings.

The Parliament’s standing orders also dictate that it must make a decision on the no-confidence motion against the Speaker first, before it conducts any other work.

MDP has warned it will not endorse the president-elect’s inauguration or the incoming cabinet if a decision isn’t made on the motion, first.