The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has accused the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) of denying committee seats to newly elected Hithadhoo North MP Abdulla Sodiq (Sobe).

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, MDP Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Nazil said Sobe has not been assigned to any parliamentary committee despite being sworn in on 15 June and taking part in parliamentary work.

Nazil also criticised the allocation of committee seats to the opposition, arguing that MDP has been given only limited representation in key committees responsible for holding the government accountable.

The remarks came after nine MDP MPs were removed from Wednesday’s sitting of Parliament following protests over the committee seat allocations. The expelled MPs included Nazil and eight other MDP lawmakers.