Enough signatures collected to file no-confidence motion against Eva

Enough signatures have been collected to file a no-confidence motion against the parliament’s Deputy Speaker, North Galolhu MP Eva Abdulla.

A minimum of 22 signatures are required to submit a no-confidence motion against the deputy speaker of the parliament.

Parliament’s Majority Leader, North Hithadhoo MP Mohamed Aslam told Sun that over 22 signatures have been collected so far in efforts initiated by MDP lawmakers to file the no-confidence motion.

Prior to this, Aslam said MDP’s parliamentary group has yet to officially approve the submission of the no-confidence motion. He added that more lawmakers are expected to file the no-confidence motion following an official decision from the parliamentary group.

Efforts to submit a second no-confidence motion against Eva have been initiated after she called in sick for the parliament sitting slated for this morning which had the no-confidence motion against Speaker Mohamed Nasheed on the agenda, but attended the sitting held in the afternoon with that motion on the agenda once again.

However, she refused to proceed with the motion citing Vilufushi MP Hassan Afeef, who presided over the morning sitting, had rejected the motion, citing it did not fit the standards for a motion as argued by member of the Democrats. Afeef, who like Nasheed and Eva is a member of the Democrats.

Nasheed’s motion was initially tabled for October 26, after the 14-day notice period. But Eva, Nasheed’s cousin and fellow Democrats member, called in sick all through last week, thwarting the motion. As per the parliament’s regulation, only the deputy speaker can preside over a no-confidence motion against the speaker.

However, the Supreme Court, last Thursday, ruled in the case submitted by MDP over the deadlock parliament fell into after Nasheed’s motion was submitted, that the motion can be proceeded without Eva presiding over sitting, as argued by MDP.

After Sunday’s events, the Parliament's Privileges and Ethics Committee passed a resolution recommending that MPs belonging to the Demcrats not be allowed to preside over the no-confidence motion against Nasheed, which was sent to the General Committee. The General Committee had decided to seek advise from the Attorney General over the matter.