Deputy Speaker of the Parliament MP Eva Abdullah has refused to chair a session that would debate the no-confidence resolution against the Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed until the Supreme Court decides on the matter as a case was filed to the top court about the issue.
MDP filed the case at the Supreme Court after the Parliamentary session to debate the resolution scheduled for Sunday was canceled as MP Eva was on medical leave.
MDP filed the case on Sunday and the top court accepted the case the next day and has since scheduled a hearing for the case for tomorrow.
The Parliament majority is seeking Supreme Court clarification on two points of the Parliament Standing Order, one of which stipulates that all parliamentary work should be on hold till a no-confidence vote against the Speaker is resolved.
While MP Eva still remains on medical leave, she refused to chair a session to debate the no-confidence motion against the Speaker and notified the parliament of her decision via a letter addressed to the Secretary General of the Parliament Fathimath Niusha.
MP Eva said in her letter that parliament holding a session on a matter being looked into by the Supreme Court is not the norm. She further said that the Parliament holding the session while a Supreme Court case has been filed may be seen as undue influence on the case.
She described putting the matter on Parliament's agenda before the Supreme Court decides on the matter as demeaning and disrespectful to the Court.
MP Eva recused herself from chairing the session before the Supreme Court decides on the case.
The session to debate on the MDP no-confidence motion against Speaker Mohamed Nasheed was canceled for a fifth time today as the Deputy Speaker remained on medical leave recuperating from a bout of Dengue fever.
