Saleem elected deputy speaker of parliament

Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) was elected Deputy Speaker of the People’s Majlis on Monday.

The post became vacant following the resignation of Dhiggaru MP Ahmed Nazim on Sunday.

Nazim stepped down shortly before Parliament was due to consider a no-confidence motion submitted by members of the ruling PNC seeking his removal from office. The motion alleged that Nazim had attempted to create discord among members of Parliament. Nazim denied the allegations in a statement issued alongside his resignation.

During Monday’s parliamentary sitting, two candidates were nominated for the post of Deputy Speaker.

Saleem was nominated by PNC Parliamentary Group Leader and Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah, with the nomination seconded by PNC Senior Deputy Leader and Baarah MP Ibrahim Shujau.

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) nominated Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad. His nomination was proposed by Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Gafoor Moosa and seconded by Thoddoo MP Hussain Sameer.

In the secret ballot, Saleem secured 62 votes, while Ziyad received 10 votes. Two ballots were declared invalid.

The final results were:

Saleem is serving his fifth consecutive term in Parliament and is among the longest-serving members of the current Majlis.

He first entered Parliament in 2004 as the representative for Baa Atoll constituency in the 16th Parliament. Since the 17th Parliament, he has represented the Eydhafushi constituency and has continued to hold the seat through the current 20th Parliament.

During the 19th Parliament, Saleem served as Minority Leader and Parliamentary Group Leader of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

His election fills the vacancy created by Nazim’s resignation and restores the full leadership structure of the People’s Majlis.