Committee passes to allow VP Adeeb 30 minutes to present defence in parliament

Parliament Committee on General Affairs has passed to allow Vice President Ahmed Adeeb 30 minutes to present his defence for the no-confidence motion against him in parliament.

This was passed unanimously by all members present at a committee meeting this morning.

The total time allocated for the parliament debate on the no-confidence motion is 2 hours. Vice President Adeeb will get 10 minutes in the beginning, 10 minutes in the middle, and 10 minutes at the end of the debate.

The no-confidence motion against Vice President Adeeb was submitted on Tuesday, with over 50 signatures.

The motion is supported by ruling coalition parties, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and Maldives Development Alliance (MDA); as well Jumhooree Party (JP).

Article 100 (b) of the Constitution states that a resolution to remove the President or Vice President must be submitted to the parliament under the hand of at least one-third of the members, specifying the reasons.

Article (c) states the parliament may establish a committee to investigate the matters specified in the resolution calling for removal of the President or Vice President.

Article (d) states at least fourteen days’ notice of the debate in the parliament concerning such a resolution shall be given to the President or Vice President, and the President or the Vice President shall have the right to defend himself in the sittings of the parliament, both orally and in writing, and has the right to legal counsel.

Finally, Article 100 (e) of the Constitution states that a resolution to remove the President or Vice President from office shall only be passed if it receives a two-thirds majority of the parliament.

Two-thirds of the current 85-MP strong parliament is 57.