Male' Member Mohamed Shihab has been elected new Speaker of the People's Majlis this morning. Shihab from the newly formed Jumhoory Party, JP and one of the longest serving member of the Majlis has received 25 votes in the election. Former Speaker Ahmed Zahir who was supported by the ruling party DRP received 22 votes. But today's vote was the second vote taken to elect the Speaker after Interim Speaker Hassan Affef decided to invalidate the vote taken on 10 August having found the election held on 10 August had votes some of members who are not eligible to vote.
Zahir, popular and respected as an able and veteran parliamentarian who was Speaker of the Majlis until 6 August was elected as Speaker on 10 August winning 25 votes while Shihab received 23 votes, and Speaker Afeef immediately after the votes were counted announced Zahir was elected as the Speaker. But later at the same meeting Speaker Afeef announced there were disputes raised by some members about the eligibility of Dhaalu Member Ahmed Shiyam to take part in the vote as he was still a member of the Board of Directors of Government company MTDC. Shiyam replied he has resigned from the post, but Speaker Afeef decided to further verify such matters regarding members before proceeding with the Election, and he postponed the meeting till today.
In today's meeting some members expressed their concern and dissatisfaction about the ruling of the Speaker. Some members said the election on 10 August was valid and even if the vote of Dhaalu member was not considered valid, the election was valid and Ahmed Zahir was the elected Speaker of the Majlis. Few members reacted to these remarks supporting the decision of the Speaker. There was concern expressed by a member about a certain member who had not paid his debts according to the new Constitution which stipulates such a member to be terminated from Majlis.
Meemu Member Aneesa Ahmed from DRP was elected as Deputy Speaker with 25 votes while the other candidate Meemu Member Ahmed Nazim from People's Alliance, PA received 21 votes. 48 members attended today's meeting and 47 members participated in the voting. Speaker Afeef did not take part in the voting.
The votes were shredded during the meeting after the results were announced.
The new Constitution requires first meeting of the Majlis after ratification of the Constitution to elect a Speaker and Deputy Speaker for the transition period till a new Majlis is elected by 15 February 2009.
Comments