Former President and the Central-Mahchangolhi MP, Mohamed Nasheed has been elected as Speaker of the Parliament.
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) endorsed nominee former President Mohamed Nasheed was elected by a secret ballot at the 19th edition of the People’s Majlis.
Name of MP President Nasheed for speakership was put forth by North Hithadhoo MP Mohamed Aslam, who was previously a nominee for the MDP endorsement, which caused unrest and formed a rift inside the party. President Nasheed’s contender for the speaker position, Maamigili MP Gasim Ibrahim’s name was put forth by Mahibadhoo MP Ahmed Thoriq Ibrahim.
A five-member committee consisting of of MP Hisaan Hussain (MDP), MP Saud Hussain (independent), MP Ahmed Shiyam (PPM), MP Mohamed Saeed (PNC), and MP Ali Hameed (JP) was established to count the votes.
President Nasheed won the election with overwhelming majority securing 67 of the 85 votes.
65 members of MDP took oath last night – the first time a party or coalition had been elected with a two-thirds majority. The other parties combined have a total of 22 seats. PPM with 5, JP with 5, Congress Party with 3, MDA with 2 and the rest occupied by independent members.
