MDP alleges bill aims to undermine council authority ahead of elections
Rauf also noted that if Parliament proceeds with the amendment, councils plan to meet with parliamentarians to raise concerns.
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has criticised the government's proposed amendments to the Decentralisation Act, claiming they are timed to restrict the autonomy of local councils ahead of the 2026 council elections.
The government on Monday submitted a bill to amend the law, which includes provisions to limit the financial powers of councils in their final year. The Local Government Committee of Parliament has opened the bill for public comment and is expected to make a decision on it Tuesday.
At a press conference held by the MDP at its office on Tuesday, former parliamentarian Ali Niyaz stated that many councils currently use their own income to implement local development projects, and that the government’s intention is to curb this independence.
“This bill is being proposed to stop councils from doing their work, and to give the ruling party an upper hand in the council elections,” said Niyaz. “The government wants to limit the councils’ ability to function and then use that as an opportunity to win elections in the islands.”
Keyodhoo MP Mohamed Niushad, a member of the Local Government Committee, said the proposed amendment seeks to centralise control under the Ministry of Local Government.
He stated, “The amendment intends to restrict the development work being undertaken by councils. We call on the government to withdraw the proposed changes.”
Mohamed Rauf, President of the MDP Council Assembly and the President of Kendhikulhudhoo Council, said councils should not be restricted in how they utilise their own revenue.
“The 19th Parliament granted land and financial powers to the councils. The people are witnessing the benefits of those changes through the development efforts of the current council term,” said Rauf.
Rauf also noted that if Parliament proceeds with the amendment, councils plan to meet with parliamentarians to raise concerns. He added that if discussions do not yield results, they may organise peaceful protests and public awareness efforts.
The MDP has said it will oppose the bill if it is passed, but has yet to provide specific details on how it plans to do so. The party said it would share further plans as arrangements are finalised.
