News Desk
Ahmed Nazim, Deputy Speaker of the People’s Majlis and a senior member of the ruling People’s National Congress, was removed from the PNC parliamentary group’s WhatsApp group on Wednesday, in what political observers are reading as a disciplinary signal from the party leadership. The group is administered by President and PNC leader Dr Mohamed Muizzu.
The removal came on the same morning Nazim, presiding over the Majlis in the absence of Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla, was forced to adjourn the session twice after members failed to show up in sufficient numbers. Parliament requires just 23 members, one quarter of the 93-seat house, to proceed. The session was pushed from 9:00 am to 10:00 am before Nazim called it off under Rule 49(b) of the Rules of Procedure. Several committee meetings scheduled for the day were also cancelled.
The adjournment left pending business unresolved, including the Cyber Security Bill, the Protection of Personal Information Bill and the formal referral of new ambassadorial appointments to committee.
Nazim scheduled the next sitting for Thursday, an unusual choice as that day is typically reserved for committee work rather than full sittings.
Nazim could not be reached for comment.
The WhatsApp removal has prompted speculation about Nazim’s standing within the PNC following the party’s losses in the April local council elections. There are unconfirmed reports that signatures are being gathered for a petition to remove him from his Majlis leadership post. No official explanation or confirmation has been given for his removal from the group.
