Wednesday 04 Nov 2026
MPs from the MDP speak to reporters outside the Parliament building on November 4, 2026. (Photo/People's Majlis)
The door to moving resolutions has been closed since the rules of Parliament were amended, leaving only a narrow opportunity for opposition members to work within the chamber, the MDP Parliamentary Group said Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters after the sitting, MDP Parliamentary Group Leader and Hithadhoo South MP Ibrahim Nazil said the change brought by the 20th Parliament, where the PNC holds a clear majority, was designed to hinder the work of MDP members. He said representatives of the people were being prevented from carrying out their responsibilities through repeated amendments to the Rules of Procedure and related laws, leaving MPs with very limited space to act on the public’s needs.
Hulhumale' South MP Dr Ahmed Shamheed said no minister or lawmaker who supports democratic practice would approve restricting the opportunity to debate resolutions while Parliament still has time allocated for such matters.
MDP Parliamentary Group Deputy Leader and Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyadh said resolutions were being moved because minority MPs lacked avenues to raise urgent concerns on behalf of the public.
“That door has been closed for the past two days,” he said, referring to resolutions submitted by Galolhu North MP Mohamed Ibrahim and Galolhu South MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem. Mohamed Ibrahim’s resolution sought accountability from the Judicial Service Commission over the suspension of former Supreme Court justices, while Meekail’s resolution opposed the government takeover of council land.
Ziyadh said the 13 MDP MPs would not back down despite the restrictions placed on their opportunities in Parliament.
Previously, parliamentary rules required resolutions to be debated before a vote on whether they should be approved. However, in late October, the rules were amended to require a vote on the adoption of resolutions before any debate can take place. The change was moved by Abdul Hannan Aboobakr, the government-aligned independent MP representing Thulhaadhoo.
