Minister Saeed survives no-confidence vote with support of 54 MPs
Several PNC MPs were absent from Wednesday's sitting, while two members who attended did not participate in the vote.
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Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed has retained his position after Parliament voted in his favour on Wednesday, rejecting a no-confidence motion submitted by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
The vote followed a parliamentary debate on the motion, which was submitted in August seeking Saeed's dismissal on six grounds.
A total of 54 members of Parliament voted in favour of retaining Saeed as minister, while 10 voted against him.
All 54 votes supporting Saeed came from members of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC), which holds 74 seats in Parliament.
Several PNC MPs were absent from Wednesday's sitting, while two members who attended did not participate in the vote.
They were Mahibadhoo MP Ahmed Thoriq and Felidhoo MP Adam Zahir.
Although Thoriq did not participate in the vote, he spoke in defence of Saeed during the parliamentary debate.
The no-confidence motion was submitted by the MDP with the signatures of 13 members of its parliamentary group.
However, only 10 MDP MPs voted in favour of removing Saeed from office, as three opposition members were absent from the sitting.
The absent MDP MPs were Galolhu North MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudoo), Maavashu MP Ahmed Shakir and Hithadhoo North MP Abdulla Sodhiq.
In addition to the two PNC MPs who abstained, independent MP Abdulrahman, representing the Meedhoo constituency, also did not participate in the vote.
During Wednesday's sitting, Saeed was given an opportunity to respond to the allegations raised in the motion before Parliament proceeded to vote on whether he should remain in office.
The opposition's motion raised six concerns about his performance as Economic Minister, including the shortage of US dollars and the government's handling of economic policy.
Saeed defended his record during the debate, maintaining that responsibility for foreign exchange policy rests with the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) under existing legislation.
He also cited figures showing an increase in the amount of US dollars made available at the official exchange rate under President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's administration.
Following the debate, Parliament voted to retain Saeed, allowing him to continue serving as Minister of Economic Development and Trade.
