MDP MPs take off ties in protest of alleged flouting of Parliament’s rules

Three lawmakers from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) refused to wear ties as they attended the extraordinary sitting held on Monday, in protest of what they called frequent flouting of parliamentary rules by the Parliament, in which the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) holds a supermajority.

The Parliament, which is in recess, had reconvened for an extraordinary sitting on Monday morning. But three opposition lawmakers – Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad (Fittey), North Galolhu MP Ibrahim Mohamed (Kudu), and Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir – showed up without ties.

Male lawmakers usually attend sittings in official attire with their shirts tucked in and wearing ties. Meanwhile, the Speaker usually wears a suit.

When asked about why they showed up without wearing ties, Kudu told Sun that the Parliament is being run “whichever way they want.”

He said that they decided to show up without ties in protest of the frequent flouting of rules set down under the Parliament’s standing orders.

Mauroof, too, told Sun that they wished to protest against the alleged flouting of rules by the Parliament’s presidency.

During a debate on Monday afternoon, Fittey declared that if a tie could uphold the Parliament’s dignity, he would show up wearing a tie that is longer than his height.

“And I would not have my shirt tucked in an inch below my ribcage. A tie has nothing to do with it, Honorable Speaker,” he said, as lawmakers around him burst out in laughter.

“There are certain provisions that you, the Speaker, must also abide by. It states in Article 83 that cabinet ministers must be summoned here to answer questions within 14 days. It would all be fine if you, the Speaker, got it done and then told us to follow the rules.”

Their refusal to wear a tie had prompted a rebuke from Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla, who said that sittings fall within official working hours, and that lawmakers must therefore show up dresses in official attire including with ties.

“I see some lawmakers aren’t wearing a tie. Don’t do that. It is required for lawmakers to uphold honor and dignity [of the Parliament]. This is the rule we have always followed. So, I ask that you come here in official attire,” said Abdul Raheem, the chairperson of PNC.

The PNC holds a supermajority of seats in the incumbent 93-member parliamentary assembly, while the MDP holds 12.

MDP’s lawmakers have repeatedly accused the Parliament of deliberately flouting rules, including cancelling sittings without explanation and deliberately blocking cabinet ministers from being summoned for question, despite the Parliament’s standing orders requiring ministers to be brought in or submit answers in writing within 14 days of filing of questions by lawmakers.