Maldivian government responds to US statement: Maseeh’s vote was fair

The Maldivian government has responded to the statement issued by the US embassy in Sri Lanka regarding the no-confidence vote on Monday.

The US embassy statement said that they are "concerned about irregularities ?that impeded a free and fair vote in the Maldives Parliament on March 27. We call on the Government to restore faith in democratic processes by ensuring free and impartial proceedings in Parliament, free and fair local elections, and basic freedoms of press, assembly, and speech."

A statement issued by the Maldivian Foreign Ministry today said that the vote on the no-confidence motion in the Parliament submitted by the opposition to unseat the Speaker was free, fair, and transparent.

The statement said that the government stands firm with it’s unshakable commitment to uphold the rule of law and democratic principles and respect the democratic decisions taken by institutions of the State.

“The Maldives Parliament, since its establishment in 1932, has been, and will continue to be, the strongest defender and the lead proponent of democratic values in the country. The vote in the Parliament yesterday was conducted in the most transparent manner and through a democratic process underpinned by the rule of law and specifically in accordance with the Constitution of Maldives and the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament.” The statement said.

During the debate before the vote yesterday, the Majority Leader, Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik said that there was an issue with the voting system and asked for a roll-call vote.

Regulations state that a roll-call vote can only be taken if a problem with the e-voting system is openly confirmed.

When a roll-call vote was set for the no-confidence motion, MPs of the opposition MDP, JP, and loyalists to the former President Maumoon raised their voice to interrupt the sitting can continued to say that the roll-call vote was taken illegally.

At last, the voting in the no-confidence motion took place after 13 opposition MPs were named and removed from the floor.