Police issue permits for MPs to attend session

Police have begun issuing permits for MPs to attend tomorrow’s parliamentary session.

A government official stated that MPs that requested for the permit through the Police portal would be issued a permit. The government would not stand in the way of MPs attending the session, said the official.

MPs are already publicizing the permits issued by Police upon receiving them. 

The Parliament session is scheduled for 11:00 tomorrow. The session will include debates on amending the Constitution regarding the issue of Councilors and their terms.

The session was scheduled after the Speaker of the Parliament expressed hesitance in conducting a session where a debate on amending Constitution was conducted virtually.

National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) had earlier announced that it was not consulted with, on the matter of the session. MPs even expressed refusal to attend the session amid the lockdown order.

Some MPs have stated that it was not possible for MPs to attend the Parliament without the approval of HPA or Police.

MDP Parliamentary Group leader, MP Ali Azim had tweeted that it was an obligation upon the Speaker to take action against anyone that impeded Parliamentary sessions. He had added that no one can stand in the way of the sessions. It was later retweeted by the Speaker Mohamed Nasheed.

MPs supporting the Speaker have also voiced their support for the move to hold sessions.

Nasheed had stated in a Whatsapp group of the Parliament that he had observed most MPs in favor of holding the sessions. 

The session is expected to be held with only 42 MPs inside the Parliament at the same time. Special arrangements for MPs to leave and other MPs to attend the session afterward are also made.