Parliamentary group of the government coalition has revealed efforts are underway to hold a parliament sitting outside of the legislative session next month.
The joint parliamentary group leader Abdulla Riyaz said discussions are now underway with parliament members to finalise the most suitable date to hold the sitting. He added even though discussions are underway, efforts to collect signatures of one-third of the parliamentarians have not commenced yet.
If a motion is submitted with the signatures of one-third of parliamentarians detailing the reason for the sitting, parliament secretariat will make necessary arrangements to hold the sitting within 14 days of the submission, according to parliament regulations.
While current parliament comprises of 85 parliamentarians, one-third of the parliament is 29. The government coalition parties currently hold a vast majority in parliament.
The government coalition leaders agreed to hold a meeting outside of the legislative session at a time when the public have criticised the decision of the parliament to recess, without approving several pending bills.
During a meeting with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the coalition leaders agreed to hold a parliament sitting outside of the legislative session, deeming it is important to work on some bills submitted to the floor.
Speaking to the media following the meeting, President Solih said discussions of the meeting widely focused on holding a meeting out of the regular session to conclude important bills submitted when the parliament recessed.
While the four coalition leaders have agreed to a parliament sitting outside the term, the parliament recessed without voting on some important bills as the quorum was not met. In this regard, the parliament recessed without voting on amendments to pension act, the bill on presidential commissions and on the bill to establish a bar council, even though it was on the agenda.