Ahmed Saleem Elected Deputy Speaker of Parliament

Ahmed Saleem (Redwave Saleem), Member of Parliament for Eydhafushi constituency, has been elected as the new Deputy Speaker of the People’s Majlis.

In a secret ballot held in Parliament today, Saleem secured 62 votes to win the position. His opponent, MP Hussain Ziyad of the opposition MDP, received 10 votes.

Saleem was nominated by the ruling PNC’s Parliamentary Group Leader, Ibrahim Falah. He is one of the longest-serving members currently sitting in the People’s Majlis. Saleem was the sole candidate nominated by the PNC for the post.

Representing the opposition MDP, MP Hussain Ziyad of Vaikaradhoo constituency contested the election. His nomination was submitted by MDP Parliamentary Group Leader Abdul Ghafoor Moosa (Gapo).

The Deputy Speaker position became vacant following the resignation of former Deputy Speaker and Dhiggaru MP Ahmed Nazim yesterday. In accordance with parliamentary rules, the Majlis moved today to elect a new Deputy Speaker to fill the vacancy.

Saleem’s election comes a day after Nazim stepped down from the post, bringing a swift conclusion to the process of selecting his successor.