The People's National Congress (PNC), which holds a parliamentary majority, has announced that it will reverse its earlier decision to send Parliament into recess during the upcoming month of Ramadan.

Last week, the General Purpose Committee of Parliament approved an amendment to shorten the first parliamentary session and go on recess during Ramadan. The proposal was submitted by PNC MP Abdulla Rifau (Bochey) as part of efforts to restructure Parliament’s annual schedule. The ruling party MPs, who hold a supermajority, voted in favor of the amendment, while the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) opposed it.

However, PNC Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Falah told Mihaaru News today that the PNC no longer intends to proceed with the recess plan.

Falah explained that the initial decision was made in response to the government’s announcement that the last ten days of Ramadan would be public holidays. This would significantly reduce the time available for parliamentary work.

"Our aim was to reorganize the schedule by forgoing other holidays to ensure maximum productivity. If Parliament operates during Ramadan, sittings will be limited to just two hours. With the last ten days already designated as public holidays, parliamentary work would be minimal. We were trying to find an efficient solution," Falah stated.

He further noted that media reports on the decision had led to public discord, prompting the PNC to withdraw the plan.