MPs pull double shift ahead of Eid holidays

Lawmakers are working overtime to clear a backlog of bills and resolutions ahead of a week-long break for the Hajj and Eid al-Adha holidays.

At the start of Monday’s sitting, Speaker Mohamed Nasheed announced his intention to hold sittings at night in order to wrap up debate on as many agenda items as possible. Two sittings a day would be held until the agenda is cleared, the former president said.

Under the standing orders, sittings are normally held in the morning from Monday to Wednesday. Night sittings were previously only scheduled on special occasions to vote on urgent matters.

Pending items include a new fisheries law proposed by the government and approving members to the Anti-Corruption Commission. The legislative process for bills and resolutions involves a preliminary debate followed by a committee review and a final vote on the floor.