The no-confidence vote to oust Speaker of People’s Majlis, Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed this Monday is set to be the most competitive vote of the parliament this year, with opposition lawmakers and dissidents within the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives joining forces to make the attempt to oust Maseeh a success.
16:34
Ibu: Will re-submit no-confidence motion against Maseeh
Leader of MDP's parliamentary group, MP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (Ibu) warns no-confidence motion against Speaker of Majlis, MP Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed will be resubmitted to the Majlis.
16:11
48 lawmakers vote "no", failing the no-confidence motion against Speaker Maseeh
16:09
Secretary-General of Majlis is conducting the roll-call. All lawmakers have no far voted "no" to the motion to oust Maseeh as Speaker of Majlis.
16:07
Only government-aligned lawmakers present at Majlis chamber for vote. No opposition lawmakers present.
16:06
Lawmakers roll-called and asked for vote
16:05
Majlis resumes. Voting begins.
15:59
Police enter MDP headquarters with warrant and remove the sound system inside.
Police unavailable for comment.
Police confiscate sound system in MDP headquarters on March 27, 2017. (Sun Photo/Mohamed Afrah)
15:49
Police enter MDP headquarters with warrant and proceeds to remove sound systems inside
Police officers operate near MDP headquarters on March 27, 2017. (Sun Photo/Mohamed Afrah)
15:44
- All 13 lawmakers named have been removed from Majlis chamber
- Preparations underway to resume Majlis sitting
- Most lawmakers are now seated
15:40
MP Eva Abdulla and MP Mariya Ahmed Didi are both removed from Majlis chamber
15:36
MP Abdul Gafoor Moosa is forcibly removed from Majlis chamber
15:34
Lawyer Wadde is removed from Majlis chamber
15:31
Vaikaradhoo MP Mohamed Nazim is removed from Majlis chamber
15:30
MP Hussain Areef walked out of Majlis chamber
15:30
MP Fayyaz is removed from Majlis chamber
15:26
MDP lawmaker, MP Falah is removed from Majlis chamber
15:25
MP Imthiyaz Fahmy is removed from Majlis chamber
15:24
MP Rukuma is forcefully carried out of Majlis chamber by MNDF officers
15:23
MP Ali Nizar is removed from Majlis chamber. Lawmakers are being forcefully removed by MNDF officers.
15:21
MP Ali Nizar climbs on top of a table to evade MNDF officers attempting to remove him and other 13 lawmakers named from Majlis chamber
15:20
MNDF officers attempt to remove more of the 13 lawmakers named
15:20
MP Ali Azim exits Majlis chamber
15:19
MNDF officers attempt to remove Azim from Majlis chamber
15:19
MP Ali Azim re-enters Majlis chamber after he is removed.
15:15
MNDF officers remove Alifushi MP Mohamed Rasheed (Bigey) from Majlis chamber.
15:01
Nihan: 13 lawmakers named
Majority Leader, MP Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik has announced 13 lawmakers have been named for disruptive behavior.
Majlis regulation dictates that lawmakers who show disruptive behavior will be advised three times, and then will be named if they do not comply so that they can be removed from Majlis chamber.
The 13 lawmakers named are:
1. Ali Azim
2. Mohamed Abdul Kareem (Rukuma)
3. Eva Abdulla
4. Mariya Ahmed Didi
5. Imthiyaz Fahmy (Inthi)
6. Mohamed Falah
7. Hussain Areef
8. Mohamed Nazim
9. Abdul Gafoor Moosa
10. Ali Nizar
11. Fayyaar Ismail
12. Mohamed Rasheed Hussain
13. Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim
14:50
Deputy Speaker, MP Reeko Moosa Manik walks out of Majlis chamber.
14:34
Deputy Speaker, MP Reeko Moosa Manik attempts to resume Majlis sitting. Maldives National Defense Force officers make a human shield around him.
Opposition lawmakers protest in Majlis chamber on March 27, 2017.
14:21
- Police use pepper spray to disperse crowd gathered outside MDP headquarters.
- No arrests yet.
- Large number of police officers at the scene.
Opposition lawmakers protest at People's Majlis on March 27, 2017.
14:04
Opposition lawmakers protest at People's Majlis on March 27, 2017.
14:01
Opposition lawmakers raise their voices. JP's leader Qasim Ibrahim is among the protesting lawmakers.
MP Eva Abdulla atop a table as she protests suring Majlis sitting on March 27, 2017. (Photo/Twitter)
13:46
MP Ali Nizar: Will not allow a roll-call vote
In an interview to RajjeTV via phone, South Hithadhoo MP Ali Nizar said the proposal that a roll-call vote with lawmakers questioned individually be carried out was passed with the vote of MP Ahmed Mahloof – who is currently imprisoned. And that it raised questions as to the integrity of the vote.
He said he would not allow for a verbal vote to be carried out.
13:53
Majlis sitting adjourned amid protests by lawmakers.
13:42
85 lawmakers in attendance at Majlis.
13:41
MP Nihan’s proposal to carry out the vote manually by questioning each lawmaker individually is passed with the vote of 45 lawmakers. Only two lawmakers voted in opposition of the proposal.
13:39
General-Secretary starts speaking. MP Eva Abdulla stands near the mic as Secretary-General speaks and raises her voice.
13:38
Some lawmakers climb on top of tables in protest.
13:36
Majlis resumes. Bell rung for vote. Voting will commence after five minutes.
12:54
Meeting underway at People’s Majlis between lawmakers of opposition parties.
10:32
Nihan alleges opposition tried to “hack” voting system
Majority Leader of People’s Majlis, Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik has accused the opposition of attempting to “hack” the Majlis’ electronic voting system and being “desperate” after the failure of their “ploy”.
He made the accusation in a tweet made via his personal Twitter account.
The accusation comes after Nihan proposed that the no-confidence vote on Speaker of People’s Majlis, Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed be taken manually, by questioning each lawmaker individually.
The suggestion was backed by Fonadhoo MP Abdul Raheem Abdulla, but a decision is yet to be made on the voting method by the Majlis.
I have never had any issue with my voting system. But it isn’t working today. I have raised the issue and have not received any solution yet. We have no guarantee there will be no issues with our systems during the sitting today.
10:05
Parliamentary Group Leader of MDP, MP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (Ibu) says the Majlis regulation calls for an electronic vote. And that no other form of vote can be taken.
09:48
Majlis sitting is adjourned. It will resume again at 1:30 pm.
Deputy Speaker of Majlis, MP Reeko Moosa Manik announced he has ended the debate process as none of the lawmakers who applied to participate in the debate are in attendance at the Majlis sitting.
The debate process ended without word by any Maldivian Democratic Party lawmaker.
09:45
Some of the bills I, personally, have submitted remain unread. The only thing we want is that we must be given the opportunity to work in Majlis. Where are those audio clips and things which have leaked? It’s not us talking about lack of confidence in Maseeh on those audio clips.
09:44
I support the motion to oust Speaker of Majlis. Majlis needs to work for the sake of the people. But that chance isn’t provided.
09:42
Kaashidhoo MP, Faisal Naseem speaks.
09:41
We will defeat the opposition through this vote is such a way that they never attempt something like this again. There’s no truth to talk of deception if the vote is taken using the Majlis’ system.
09:41
Vilufushi MP, Riyaz Rasheed speaks.
09:39
The people want Maseeh to remain Speaker of Majlis. PPM’s Parliamentary Group remains steadfast. We will defeat the opposition and secure Maseeh his seat.
09:37
Never in the history of Maldives has a more capable person than Maseeh Speaker of Majlis. Vote for Maseeh for the sake of the nation, and members of the Majlis - consider whether democracy means padlocking the Supreme Court and vote for Speaker Maseeh.
09:36
L. Fonadhoo MP, Abdul Raheem Abdulla starts speaking.
09:35
I back the motion submitted to Majlis by Faris Maumoon. I want all members of Majlis to back the vote of no confidence on the Speaker of Majlis.
09:34
Maamingili MP, Qasim Ibrahim starts speaking.
09:34
I have not forgotten how people of this country were encouraged and forced to fight one another.
09:33
This motion was submitted to harass the government. I have not forgotten the attempt to portray the scholars of this country as terrorists to the international community. I have not forgotten how honorable Maldivian police officers were called “golhaa force” and were defamed. I have not forgotten how Maldivian police officers were attacked after Evan Naseem’s death and places all across the country were torched. I have not forgotten how the honor and reputation of the country was tarnished in front of the international community.
09:32
Nilandhoo MP Abdulla Khaleel starts speaking.
09:31
This motion has no basis. Its proposed with false allegations against Speaker Maseeh by some who cannot stomach the development being brought on by President Yameen.
09:30
"I have seen how water has mixed with oil," said Nihan, in reference to the pact between former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and former President Mohamed Nasheed.
09:27
This petition was signed and submitted by some individuals who cannot stomach the work being done by the Majlis
09:26
When a bill comes to the hands of the Speaker of Majlis, it is my responsibility to set the bill in the agenda. That’s what I do and that’s what I will continue to do.
09:24
Maseeh: Certain kind of bills needing to be proposed by the government was brought on by a change to People's Majlis regulation. I am acting in compliance with the Majlis regulation.
LOCAL EDITION
