Defence Minister given notice in relation to no-confidence issue

The Parliament has given a 14-day notice to Defence Minister Colonel retired Mohamed Nazim, in relation to the no-confidence case filed against him to Parliament.

This notice comes after the Supreme Court issued an order yesterday, to halt taking any secret votes at the Parliament until a decision is made on the case filed to Court in relation to establishing secret voting for no-confidence motions against the President and Ministers.

Article 101 (b) of the Constitution says that at least fourteen days’ notice of the debate in the Parliament concerning a motion of no-confidence shall be given to the concerned member of the Cabinet, and that he shall have the right to defend himself in the sittings of the Parliament, both orally and in writing.

The no-confidence motion against Nazim was filed to Parliament by MDP with the signatures of 17 MPs.

MDP said that their reason for filing a case to remove the Defence Minister from his post, is that he, while also holding the post of Acting Minister of Transport, mixed up the basic responsibilities of the two Ministries. MDP has accused him of using military influence to break up civil transactions of the government outside of Court.

Nazim has denied these accusations.

MDP earlier filed a motion of no-confidence against Home Minister Jameel as well, but this was withdrawn last minute.