Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem, widely known as “Redwave Saleem,” has been elected as the new Deputy Speaker of the People’s Majlis following a parliamentary vote held on Monday.
The position became vacant after former Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim resigned shortly before lawmakers were due to debate and vote on a no-confidence motion filed against him by members of the ruling PNC.
Two candidates contested the election for the post. Alongside Saleem, the opposition MDP fielded Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad, commonly known as “Fittey.”
In a secret ballot conducted during Monday’s parliamentary sitting, Saleem secured a decisive victory with 62 votes, while Ziyad received 10 votes.
At the time of his election, Saleem was in Saudi Arabia performing Hajj. He is one of the longest-serving members of the People’s Majlis and is currently serving his fourth consecutive parliamentary term.
Several senior PNC lawmakers had reportedly shown interest in the Deputy Speaker position. However, party members later reached a consensus to back Saleem for the role.
According to information shared within political circles, Saleem was chosen partly due to his ability to command respect across party lines and maintain broad support among both government and opposition lawmakers.
The election process was overseen by a five-member committee comprising MPs Husnee Mubarak, Ibrahim Shujaau, Anara Naeem, Ibrahim Nazil and Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru.
The vacancy arose after Ahmed Nazim stepped down from the position moments before a scheduled vote on a no-confidence motion. The ruling PNC had accused him of misusing the influence of his office and acting against the interests of Parliament. Nazim, however, rejected the allegations and described them as unfounded.
