With the backing of fifty-four MPs, ruling MDP has filed a no-confidence motion against Former President and the Speaker of the People’s Majlis Mohamed Nasheed to eject him from the top legislative job.

MDP’s parliamentary group, PG group, filed the motion at the Majlis today with fifty-four signatures of MPs who want to see Nasheed take his seat elsewhere in the chamber.

MDP’s PG Group decided to remove Nasheed from the Speaker’s chair yesterday as his followers in the parliament; mainly former MDP MPs, have unanimously supported a no-confidence motion against Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath.

Moreover, the PG group accuses Nasheed of his contribution in delaying debate on the motion against AG Riffath breaching parliamentary procedures. Since the start of the debate on the motion against Riffath in the Majlis, the Speaker has not been able to maintain order in the House for three consecutive days.

According to practiced parliamentary procedure, at least a fourth of all the sitting MPs must back a motion to be officially accepted by the Majlis for debate. Presently the number required is twenty-two.

Meanwhile, a no-confidence motion against Deputy Speaker Eva Abdullah is also sitting there in the parliament. Debate on her no-confidence motion is expected to start soon.

Parliamentary procedures require a simple majority – present and voting in the House, if the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker is to be removed from their privileged positions.

The Speaker of the House is arguably the second most powerful person in the country.