Male, February 21 (newsin.asia): The Maldivian Supreme Court on Wednesday temporarily maintained the State of Emergency until it conclusively decides on the constitutional question referred to it by parliament on Tuesday regarding the basic voting requirements on resolutions such as one on the State of Emergency.
As the State of Emergency was set to expire on Tuesday, President Abdulla Yameen had on Monday sought parliamentary approval to stretch the Emergency for another 30 days.
However, the ruling party had only 38 MPs in a House of 85 when it required 43 to pass the resolution for extension with a simple majority.
Be that as it may, the government declared that it would suffice if a majority of those present and voting gave it a majority. The 38 votes the government had, was deemed enough as the opposition had boycotted the sitting.
The resolution to extend the State of Emergency by another 30 days was then declared passed with 38 government MPs voting for it and none against as the entire opposition had boycotted the session.
However, by way of abundant precaution, the parliament (with the approval of the President) took the advice of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security to refer the relevant section of the parliamentary rules to the Supreme Court for a determination.
The Supreme Court late on Wednesday allowed the State of Emergency to remain temporarily till it gives its considered opinion on Sec.38 of parliamentary procedure on the kind of vote required for resolutions such as the one in question.