MDP MPs ejected from parliament following protest over committee assignments
MDP said that Hithadhoo North MP Abdulla Sodiq had not been assigned to any parliamentary committee since taking office approximately two weeks ago.
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Several opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) lawmakers were removed from the People's Majlis on Wednesday after staging a protest over parliamentary committee assignments.
The protest took place during a parliamentary sitting as committee reports were being presented before the voting session.
MDP members moved towards the Speaker's desk and began protesting, claiming that Hithadhoo North MP Abdulla Sodiq had not been assigned to any parliamentary committee since taking office approximately two weeks ago.
In response, Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla named a number of MDP members and ordered their removal from the chamber.
The members ordered to leave were:
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1-
Mohamed Ibrahim, MP for Galolhu North
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2-
Abdul Ghafoor Moosa, MP for Hanimaadhoo
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3-
Hussain Ziyad, MP for Vaikaradhoo
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4-
Ameen Faisal, MP for Kanditheemu
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5-
Mauroof Zakir, MP for Kendhoo
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6-
Hussain Sameer, MP for Thoddoo
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7-
Mohamed Niushad, MP for Keyodhoo
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8-
Ahmed Didi, MP for Maradhoo
The sitting resumed after the members left the chamber.
During the proceedings, Abdul Raheem said the MDP had already been allocated positions on two parliamentary committees in accordance with parliamentary rules.
He stated that the opposition could not dictate which specific committees those positions should be on.
Following the sitting, the MDP Parliamentary Group held a press conference outside the parliament building.
Speaking to the media, Parliamentary Group Leader and Hithadhoo South MP Ibrahim Nazil said the opposition had been seeking a committee assignment for Sodiq since he was sworn in.
Nazil argued that committee work forms a central part of parliamentary responsibilities and that an MP's ability to contribute is limited without committee membership.
“I have spoken about this with both the Speaker and the Secretary-General. The bulk of parliamentary work happens within committees,” Nazil said.
He alleged that the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) intended to assign Sodiq to committees with limited workloads, such as the Ethics Committee or the Petitions Committee.
Nazil said the opposition wanted representation on committees including the National Security Services Committee, the Public Accounts Committee and the Judiciary Committee.
He maintained that the protest was staged after discussions over the issue failed to produce a resolution.
According to Nazil, the opposition intends to continue its efforts until the matter is addressed.
