Prominent lawyer, Kulhudhuffushi-South MP Mohamed Nasheed has said in parliament today that the constitution does not allow the Speaker of the Parliament to take over the powers of the president after the constitutional deadline of 11 November, in an instance where the country does not have a president elect by that date.
Speaking on a special motion put forward by MP Ali Azim in parliament today, MP Nasheed said that the constitution only address what should be done if the president resigns during a presidential term and that the constitution is silent on matters where the country fails to elect a president by 11 November.
The special motion filed by MP Ali Azim today asks the parliament to direct the government that the incumbent president Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik must resign on 11 November 2013.
MP Nasheed noted that the Supreme Court verdict annulling the 7 September election states that the current president will stay on as president, if a the country fails to elect a president by 11 November.
President Waheed has told the media that he will not stay in his post beyond 11 November. MP Nasheed said that the constitution must be amended to include a course of action, if the presidency remains vacant past the deadline.
MP Nasheed said that it is possible for the parliament to amend the constitution within the short timeframe before the deadline, but said that according to constitution currently, the Speaker of the Parliament cannot take over the powers of the president after 11 November.