MPs Shiyan and Jabir to be probed for violating three-line whip

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s parliamentary group has decided to file a complaint with the party against Thoddhoo MP Hassan Shiyan and Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir for violating the group’s whip to vote for Hoarafushi MP Ahmed Saleem for parliament’s deputy speaker.

Three lawmakers from MDP expressed interest in the post of deputy speaker after former deputy speaker, North Galholhu Eva Abdulla resigned from the post on Sunday. They were MP Saleem, MP Jabir and Addu Meedhoo MP Rozaina Adam.

The internal election held within the MDP’s parliamentary group was won by MP Saleem, following which the parliamentary group issued a three-line whip to vote for MP Saleem for parliament’s deputy speaker.

MP Jabir’s name was put forth by MP Shiyan at Sunday night’s sitting to elect the new deputy speaker after MDP had put forth MP Saleem’s name in accordance with the whip. Gadhdhoo MP Ahmed Zahir, a lawmaker from The Democrats, seconded MP Shiyan’s proposal.

Subsequently, the election for deputy speaker held last night was contested by both MP Saleem and MP Jabir. It was MP Saleem who was elected the deputy speaker by a landslide difference.

A total of 74 lawmakers participated in the vote. MP Saleem received 51 votes while MP Jabir received 23 votes.

MDP lawmaker Velidhoo MP Abdulla Shafeeg, on Monday morning, said the party’s parliamentary group leader Mohamed Rasheed Hussain has decided to file a complaint with the party with respect to the whip violation by MP Shiyan and MP Jabir.

MP Eva resigned as deputy speaker at a sitting held on Sunday morning to hear the no-confidence motion filed against her by MDP.

During the sitting, she was granted the opportunity to present her defense; an opportunity she took up.

However, concluding her defense, Eva said she had tendered her resignation.

Shortly afterwards, Parliament Speaker Mohamed Aslam, who presided over the sitting, confirmed he had received Eva’s resignation letter. After reading aloud the letter, Speaker Aslam announced his decision to accept the resignation.

The no-confidence motion against Eva was submitted by MDP with the signatures of 50 lawmakers.

Prior to this, MDP had also filed a no-confidence motion against former speaker Mohamed Nasheed, Eva’s cousin and fellow member of The Democrats. Nasheed tendered his resignation after stalling to motion from proceeding for days.