Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim has resigned from Parliament, saying he stepped down to protect the dignity and independence of the legislature while rejecting the allegations behind an impeachment effort against him. Following his resignation ahead of a planned no-confidence vote, Parliament postponed the sitting scheduled to elect a new Deputy Speaker until tomorrow.
Nazim announced his resignation in a statement posted on X after formally stepping down on Sunday. He said he had reviewed the no-confidence motion submitted against him and found the allegations to be unsupported by evidence.
He maintained that he had carried out his responsibilities as Deputy Speaker in accordance with the Constitution, parliamentary rules and established procedures. Nazim said he had performed his duties impartially and without favouring any political group or individual.
According to the statement, Nazim believed the claims outlined in the motion did not meet the legal threshold for removal from office. He argued that allowing such allegations to form the basis of impeachment could set a precedent that weakens Parliament’s institutional independence.
Nazim said he chose to resign after considering the broader implications of the dispute, adding that the move was intended to safeguard Parliament’s reputation, uphold democratic principles and avoid further disruption to legislative work.
He also thanked fellow lawmakers and parliamentary staff for their cooperation during his tenure.
The resignation came shortly before Parliament was due to debate and vote on a no-confidence motion submitted by members of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC). Following the announcement, Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla said the matter had been resolved, bringing the impeachment process to an end.
The PNC had sought Nazim’s removal on allegations that he acted contrary to the interests of Parliament and allowed political considerations to influence his conduct. Nazim rejected those claims, insisting he acted within the law and parliamentary procedure.
A no-confidence motion against Nazim had been listed for debate during Sunday morning’s sitting. However, the position became vacant after he submitted his resignation shortly before the session began.
During the sitting, the Speaker announced that Parliament would reconvene at 1:00 p.m. the same day. The parliamentary administration later issued a notice postponing the next sitting until tomorrow instead.
Although the agenda for the postponed sitting has not been published, a senior PNC lawmaker said Parliament is expected to hold an election to fill the vacant Deputy Speaker position.
Nazim is regarded as one of the most experienced members of the current Parliament. He previously served as Deputy Speaker between 2009 and 2015 and was closely associated with former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. He also held senior positions within the former People’s Alliance party.
In 2015, Nazim was convicted of fraud and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Later that year, he sought political asylum in the United Kingdom after travelling to Singapore for medical treatment. He returned to the Maldives in 2018 following a change of government and after the conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court.
According to reports, Nazim is currently overseas.
