Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed recuses himself from chairing parliamentary sessions after a motion was filed at the legislative house seeking a no-confidence vote against him.
Nasheed said this in a letter to Parliament's Secretary General Fathimath Niusha.
In the letter, the Speaker said that he is removing himself from chairing all future parliamentary sessions until the no-confidence motion, which a lot of MDP MPs signed, against him is resolved.
Nasheed cited Article 44 of the Parliament's Standing Order as backing for his decision.
He further said that though he recuses himself from chairing the sessions, he would continue to perform the duties of the Speaker as per Parliament's Standing order and that he would not obstruct the duties of the Secretary-General in any way.
While Nasheed stated his decision, under Parliamentary regulations, the Speaker must chair the session that would be held to determine the fate of the no-confidence motion filed against his deputy MP Eva Abdullah.
The no-confidence motion against Nasheed was filed last week with signatures from 54 MPs including 50 MPs that represent MDP at which Nasheed still remains as President.
