Maldives ex-leader Nasheed elected as new Speaker

Former President of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed has been elected as the new speaker of Majlis or Parliament.

Mr. Nasheed received the support of 67 MPs in 87 member parliament during a secret ballot held last night during first sitting of the new parliament. His rival and former speaker Qasim Ibrahim received 17 votes.

Earlier, Mr. Nasheed, who leads the Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) was unanimously nominated for the post of the speaker by its newly elected MPs on Monday.

Another MDP MP Eva Abdulla has been elected for the post of deputy speaker.

The Hindu