Parliament has re-structure the members of Parliament who will fill the chair in the absence of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament.

With the no-confidence motion against former Speaker Nasheed, MDP filed a case in Supreme Court citing the motion could not continue as per agenda although the parliament had been presided over MP Hassan Afeef.

Current Speaker of Parliament MP Mohamed Aslam has announced the order of members who will preside over the session in the absence of Speaker or Deputy Speaker. The list does not include MP Afeef.

Aslam said that in the event of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the parliament are unable to preside over the session the five members who will preside over the session have been re-nominated and announced as per the constitution and rules of the parliament.

Aslam said that in cases where the Speaker and Deputy Speaker have to excuse themselves from presiding over the session, the five members to preside over the house should be selected from among the members who have served the most without interruption in accordance with Article 82(b) of the Constitution and priority will be given to member's service terms as per Article 44(c) of the Parliament.

The five members nominated to preside over the chair in the absence of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are:

  • Meedhoo MP Ahmed Siyam Mohamed - member for 18 years and eight months since February 27, 2005.
  • Mamigili MP Qasim Ibrahim - member for 14 years and five months since May 28, 2009.
  • Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem - member for 14 years and five months since May 28, 2009.
  • Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa - member for 14 years and five months from May 28, 2009.
  • Kudahuvadhoo MP Ahmed Amir - member for 14 years and five months since May 28, 2009.

Aslam said the order of the names of these MPs has been decided on the basis of priority for the duration of membership as per Article 44(a) and (c) of the Rules of Parliament.