Parliament committee allows 3 extra days for PG to answer no-confidence motion

Parliament Committee on Independent Institutions has allowed an additional 3 days for Prosecutor General (PG) Ahmed Muizzu to prepare his defence for the motion of no confidence set against him by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

Summoned to the committee today, PG said less than 48 hours had passed since he was notified of the motion and argued he was not allowed enough time to prepare an answer.

Committee chair Dhidhoo MP Ahmed Sameer said the committee last Tuesday decided the committee will be the body to decide on how a head of an independent institution will answer to censure motions presented to the parliament.

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) parliamentary group MP Ali Waheed proposed for the PG to be allowed a 3 day period and to return to the committee at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, 4 November. MPs against MDP walked out of the meeting after voicing frustration over the way the meeting was being conducted.

PG Muizzu said there is no law directing the procedure for censure motions against heads of independent institution, and suggested that the parliament follow procedures set by the constitution for such votes of cabinet members, which allows a 14 day period for the cabinet member to prepare and present his argument.

The no confidence motion, led by MDP MPs, argues that the PG is biased in his prosecution, that he had failed to prosecute parties mention in the Commission of National Inquiry report following the controversial change of power in February 2012, and that he had trampled fundamental rights of citizens.

MDP, along with coalition partner DRP, exercises clear majority in parliament since the beginning of the third sitting, which commenced on 1 October.