Reeko: Opposition’s lack of confidence apparent from Majlis debacle

The debacle within People’s Majlis on the day of no-confidence vote on Speaker Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed shows the opposition’s lack of confidence in the success of their attempt, says Deputy Speaker Reeko Moosa Manik.

The remark follows statement made by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s parliamentary group leader, MP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (Ibu) on Wednesday night that the opposition will make the next no-confidence motion against Maseeh a success, even if they had to raise their “hand or leg” to make it possible.

“Sun” asked for a comment from Deputy Speaker Reeko regarding the statement.

Reeko said that Ibu’s statement shows the opposition had only come prepared to cast their vote using the electronic voting system.

He said the debacle inside the Majlis on March 27 was a show put on for the benefit of the international community because they realized they would lose the vote.

“You need to come to the Majlis fully confident you will succeed even if you have to lift your hand or leg. The presiding officials will act in accordance with procedure when a proposal is made. It’s not the presiding officials who made the call to conduct a roll-call vote,” said Reeko.

He said the opposition had every opportunity to propose not to conduct a roll-call vote, but that they had instead chosen to create a debacle.

Reeko said that everything needed to be conducted in adherence to laws and regulation.

The decision to conduct a roll-call vote caused an uproar within the Majlis, with lawmakers from Maldivian Democratic Party, Jumhoory Party, and the faction within ruling Progressive Party of Maldives loyal to former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom protesting a roll-call vote was irregular in the circumstance.

13 of the protesting lawmakers were named, and were either forcibly removed from the Majlis by Maldives National Defense Force officers or walked out on their own accord when the officers intervened.

The remaining opposition lawmakers had walked out of the Majlis chamber, leaving only government-aligned lawmakers at the chamber when the roll-call vote was conducted to decide the fate of Maseeh.

The no-confidence motion failed with 48 lawmakers remaining in the chamber unanimously voting to keep Maseeh in his seat.