Nasheed says constitution requires vote on presidential no-confidence motion

Former President Mohamed Nasheed on Sunday responded to remarks made by Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla regarding a possible no-confidence motion against President Mohamed Muizzu.

The exchange follows Nasheed’s recent claim that a no-confidence motion could be passed in the People’s Majlis before the end of the year.

Speaking on Saturday night at the campaign launch for the ruling People’s National Congress candidate in the Hithadhoo North by-election, Abdul Raheem said no opportunity would be given for such a motion to proceed in Parliament.

“You will not be able to take a no-confidence vote against President Dr Mohamed Muizzu through the People’s Majlis. We will not grant any opportunity for that to happen,” Abdul Raheem said.

In response, Nasheed shared a news report of the Speaker’s remarks and argued that the Constitution requires a parliamentary vote once the necessary number of members submit a motion.

“What kind of talk is this? Once one-third of the Majlis members submit the motion, a vote must be taken. That is a fundamental principle of the Maldivian Constitution,” Nasheed wrote.

Nasheed previously served as President of the Maldives and later as Speaker of Parliament.

His recent comments regarding a no-confidence motion followed the submission of a resolution seeking the removal of Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim.

According to Nasheed:

The resolution seeking Nazim’s removal was signed by 73 PNC members.

Before the resolution was formally submitted, Nazim was also removed from a WhatsApp group used by President Muizzu to communicate with members of the parliamentary group.

The President is the sole administrator of the group.