President ratifies bill to limit council by-elections with 1.5-year terms
The government has stated that the amendment is intended to reduce the financial burden caused by frequent by-elections.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on Monday ratified an amendment to the Decentralisation Act that removes the requirement to hold by-elections for vacant posts in local councils and Women’s Development Committees (WDCs) if the remaining term is 548 days or less.
The bill was tabled, debated, and sent to the Decentralisation Committee within the same day on last Monday. The committee approved the bill as submitted during an 11-minute meeting held Wednesday night.
On Thursday, the amendment, submitted by Hoarafushi MP Ali Moosa on behalf of the government, was passed with 51 votes in favour and 11 votes against, all from members of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
Under the previous version of the law, by-elections were not compulsory if the remaining term of a councillor or WDC member was 365 days or less. The new amendment extends this period to 548 days.
According to the revised law:
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By-elections will not be held for vacant posts if the remaining term is 548 days or fewer.
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If the council or WDC is unable to meet the legal quorum, even with fewer than 548 days remaining, a by-election must still be held within two months to meet quorum requirements.
The government has stated that the amendment is intended to reduce the financial burden caused by frequent by-elections.
The current term of local councils is set to end on 17 May next year, leaving approximately 370 days remaining as of Thursday. As a result of the amendment, the vacant seat left by Maafannu Central Constituency Councillor Ahmed Nareesh, who resigned on 12 March, will not require a by-election.
