The possibility of holding a parliament sitting out of the legislative cycle have narrowed.
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 the coalition leaders.
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. While the Parliament Secretariat announced the first session of the first term of the Parliament would be held on February 7, 43 signatures are needed to hold a meeting out of the legislative cycle which the coalition has failed to collect.
Speaking to PSM News, some parliamentarians said the possibility of holding the sitting is very narrow as most members are in atolls campaigning for the upcoming parliamentary elections and as some members are out of the country. In this regard, Joint Parliamentarian Group Leader Abdulla Riyaz stated the sitting can still be held if the 43 signatures can be collected, adding however, only 22 members have signed the motion.
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.