Despite the fact that opposition lawmakers refused to take part in the parliament vote on the state of emergency prolongation, breaking the necessary quorum in the 85-member legislature for the decision’s adoption, 38 parliamentarians voted to extend the state of emergency, the news outlet stated.
Notably, before the vote, the Maldivian parliament’s speaker Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed reportedly announced that 20 votes in support of the state of emergency prolongation would be enough to endorse the move.
Yameen has cracked down on the opposition under the state of emergency, arresting former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, chief justice Abdulla Saeed, top court judge Ali Hameed, and other opposition figures.
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The Maldives plunged into crisis after the country's apex court withdrew the conviction of former President Nasheed and his eight associates accused of terrorism. The crisis aggravated after the current government led by Abdulla Yameen rejected the court's ruling and declared an emergency. This was followed by the arrest of the Chief Justice and another judge, however, immense pressure from the international community that has been urging it to respect the court's verdict and release the political prisoners.
