Parliament breaks for a week as second term begins

The People’s Majlis will not hold any sittings for approximately one week, with the next parliamentary sitting scheduled for Monday next week, Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla announced.

The announcement was made at the conclusion of Monday’s sitting, which marked the start of the second parliamentary term of the year.

Under the Parliament’s standing orders, the legislative calendar is divided into three terms annually. The second term commenced on Monday and is scheduled to continue until August 15.

The first term was originally due to conclude on May 14, followed by a two-week recess. However, Parliament extended the term until the end of May.

The extension was made to allow consideration of a motion seeking the removal of Dhiggaru MP Ahmed Nazim from the post of Deputy Speaker.

During the extended period, only one sitting was held. The sitting, scheduled for Sunday, was intended to consider the motion against Nazim.

However, the proceedings were shortened after Nazim resigned from the Deputy Speaker position before the sitting began.

Following his resignation, Parliament elected Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem as the new Deputy Speaker.

According to the standing orders, the second term will run until mid-August. Parliament will then enter a recess of approximately six weeks before the third and final term of the year begins in October.

The final term is scheduled to continue through October and November.