Maldives' new parliament to be sworn in on May 28

People’s Majlis has announced that the swearing-in ceremony of the members of the 20th Parliament will be held on the 28th of next month.

This was announced by the Speaker of the Parliament, Mohammed Aslam, who presided over the Tuesday sitting.

After congratulating the newly elected members of the 20th Parliament, Aslam said the first session will be held on Tuesday, 28th of next month as per Article 88 of the Constitution.

“The Parliamentary Office is making preparations for that,” Aslam said.

According to the rules of the parliament, the first term of the 19th parliament will run until the 15th of next month, Aslam added.

“Therefore, unless the Parliament determines otherwise, the last session of this term and the last session of the 19th Parliament will be held on Monday, May 13, 2024,” Aslam said.

The ruling PPM/PNC secured an overwhelming majority in Sunday's elections winning 66 out of 93 seats. 

But with support of parties in the ruling coalition and independent candidates, the government has comfortably crossed the 70 seat mark to secure parliament supermajority. 

The main opposition MDP meanwhile, lost its major strongholds to suffer a chastening defeat in the election. MDP won only 12 seats, down from the 65 it had in the outgoing parliament.