Male, February 19 (newsin.asia): For the Maldivian parliament to pass a resolution on the continuance or termination of a State of Emergency, a simple majority of those present and voting is enough, said a Maldivian legal expert.
The expert, who spoke to newsin.asia on condition of anonymity, was asked if 38 or 39 MPs voting for a resolution of this sort out of a total membership of 85 will suffice to consider it as passed.
He replied that in the case of such resolutions a simple majority of those present and voting would suffice.
In that context, the resolution to refer to the Parliament Security Committee the President’s call for an extension of the State of Emergency by another 30 days, could be considered as passed, he said.
The Parliamentary Security Committee accepted the President’s suggestion to extend the State of Emergency by another 30 days and sent it back to the House.
The House is yet to debate and vote on the resolution, the legal expert said.
“There was speculation about a debate and voting taking place on Monday, but the meeting did not take place. It will take place on Tuesday, the day on which the Emergency declared on February 5 would end,” he said.
Asked if opposition MPs were present and if they voted, the expert said that opposition MPs were present in parliament but not in the chamber.
“At the security committee however two opposition members who were members were present. But it is not clear if they voted or abstained,” he said.