Maldives' 19th Parliament Concludes 5-Year Term, Paving Way for New Era

The 19th Parliament of the Maldives concluded its 5-year term on May 15, 2024, marking the end of a significant chapter in the nation's legislative history. During its tenure, the parliament held an impressive 530 sittings and conducted 3,784 committee meetings, demonstrating a commitment to active governance despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why this matters: The conclusion of the 19th Parliament's term marks a significant milestone in the Maldives' democratic journey, highlighting the country's ability to navigate challenges and maintain a functioning legislative body. This development has implications for the region, as it sets a precedent for other nations in the area to strengthen their democratic institutions.

Speaker Mohamed Aslam highlighted the parliament's achievements, noting that it spent a total of 1,461 hours in the 530 sittings since its commencement on May 28, 2019. He emphasized that the 19th Parliament conducted the highest amount of work in the 90-year history of parliaments in the Maldives since its establishment in 1932. The various parliamentary committees held a staggering 3,784 meetings, undertaking important efforts to ensure the Executive was held accountable.

Despite the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the parliament consistently continued its work, finding solutions for many economic and social issues faced by the nation. Speaker Aslam commended the parliament's resilience, stating, "Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the parliament remained steadfast in its commitment to serving the people and addressing the pressing issues at hand."

The 19th Parliament witnessed several notable events and developments during its term. Former Speaker of Parliament and former President Mohamed Nasheed was the target of a terror attack, prompting Speaker Aslam to call for justice to be served in the case. Nasheed initially served as Speaker but later resigned on November 13, 2023, after a series of attempts to take a no-confidence vote against him. Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla also resigned on December 3, 2023, ahead of a no-confidence vote against her.

At the end of the term, the parliament's composition stood as follows: Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) with 42 members, People's National Congress (PNC) with 16, The Democrats with 13, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) with 2, Jumhoori Party (JP) with 2, Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) with 2, and 3 independent members.

The 19th Parliament completed an impressive 178 bills that were proposed, passed 73 resolutions, 152 motions submitted by the Executive, 104 motions submitted by the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, 108 emergency motions, 48 motions submitted by MPs, and 45 reports. Additionally, the parliament posed 384 questions on pertinent matters to Cabinet Ministers, ensuring transparency and accountability.

As the 19th Parliament concluded, the nation looked ahead to the 20th Parliament, which will have a total of 93 Members of Parliament. The ruling PNC holds a supermajority, with MDP managing to win a mere 12 seats despite contesting in 89 constituencies. The final session of the 19th Parliament featured farewell speeches by members, including MP Hussain Shaheem and Rozaina. Shaheem expressed gratitude to his constituents and highlighted his involvement in a government land project as a notable accomplishment. Rozaina emphasized her unwavering commitment to ethical conduct throughout her 15-year tenure, stating that her parliamentary seat was never subjected to auction and she never traded her vote.

The newly elected members of the 20th Parliament are set to take their oath of office on May 28, 2024, marking the beginning of a new era in the Maldives' legislative landscape. As the nation bids farewell to the 19th Parliament, it reflects on the significant achievements and challenges faced during its term, while looking forward to the opportunities and responsibilities that lie ahead for the incoming parliament.

Key Takeaways

• The 19th Parliament of the Maldives concluded its 5-year term on May 15, 2024.
• The parliament held 530 sittings and 3,784 committee meetings despite COVID-19 challenges.
• The 19th Parliament passed 178 bills, 73 resolutions, and posed 384 questions to Cabinet Ministers.
• The 20th Parliament will have 93 Members, with the ruling PNC holding a supermajority.
• Newly elected members will take their oath of office on May 28, 2024, marking a new era in the Maldives' legislative landscape.