VP no-confidence notice period reduced to seven days

The constitutionally mandated 14-day period given to Vice President Ahmed Adeeb to prepare his defence following the submission of a resolution to the parliament remove him from office, has been reduced to seven days.

This was announced Wednesday morning in a statement by the President declaring 30-day state of emergency in the country.

The declaration states that the 14 days stated in Article 100 (d) of the Constitution has been reduced to seven days.

Article 100 of the Constitution, which deals with the removal of the President or Vice President from office, states: (d) At least 14 days’ notice of the debate in the parliament concerning such a resolution [to remove the President or Vice President] shall be given to the President or Vice President, and the President or the Vice President shall have the right to defend himself in the sittings of the parliament, both orally and in writing, and has the right to legal counsel.

Vice President Ahmed Adeeb was given notice on 28 October following the submission of a no-confidence motion against him to the parliament. The issue has not yet been put on the parliament agenda.

The state of emergency follows security forces intelligence that confirm the threat of an imminent attack using weapons and explosives. The president said in the declaration that this poses a threat to public safety.

State of emergency has been put in place for a period of 30 days from 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, 4 November, following advice from the National Security Council.