The Parliament of Maldives has decided to extend its current term until the end of May.
The parliament was originally scheduled to go to recess next month. However, due to important bills related to the COVID-19 crisis which are impending, the parliament has decided to extend its current term to the end of May. The decision was approved with votes from 67 parliamentarians.
Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed said going to recess during the current situation could prove detrimental to the efforts to ensure the state can continue its operations in providing fundamental services to the people and to hold government institutions accountable. He said the parliament will remain at work to ensure the government fulfills its legal responsibilities.
The parliament regulations state the first parliamentary term of the calendar year will run from February to the end of April. Following a recess in May, the second term of the year begins in June.
Due to the community transmission of COVID-19 in the Maldives, parliament sittings are currently held through videoconferences. The videoconferences are taken part by the 87 sitting parliamentarians, the secretary-general, the counsel-general, the sergeant-at-arms and the relevant administrative staff.