The government coalition has revealed a Parliament sitting has not been held out of the legislative cycle as the joint parliament group has been unable to collect enough signatures.
Although 43 signatures are needed, the joint parliamentary group has so far been able to secure signatures of 22 parliamentarians.
On December 20, government coalition leaders agreed to hold a Parliament sitting out of the legislative cycle deeming it was important to work on some bills submitted to the floor. The announcement was made following a meeting held with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and coalition leaders.
Speaking to media following the meeting held on December 20, President Solih noted the importance on holding a meeting out of the regular session to conclude important bills submitted when the Parliament recessed. He also expressed efforts are underway to hold the sitting during January.
However, as many parliamentarians are out of the country on holidays, efforts to hold a sitting have so far not been successful, according to the deputy leader of the joint parliamentary group Abdulla Riyaz. He said efforts are still underway to hold a sitting before the end of the month.
The Parliament Secretariat has announced the first session of the first term of the Parliament would be held on February 7. The president is scheduled to address the Parliament at the ceremony to begin the first session of the year.