MDP urges president not to ratify bill limiting councils’ powers
Fayyaz pledged to amend the law to restore and expand council powers under a future MDP government.
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The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has urged President Dr Mohamed Muizzu not to ratify a bill passed by Parliament that seeks to limit the financial powers of local councils during the final year of their term.
MDP Chairman Fayyaz Ismail, speaking at Wednesday's meeting of the party’s national council, criticised the bill and pledged to amend the law to restore and expand council powers under a future MDP government.
Fayyaz stated that the bill was expedited without adequate research or consultation. “We know that on the orders and instructions of the President, it happened at high speed in Parliament,” he said, calling on the President to reconsider the decision.
“For the sake of the country, I call on President Muizzu not to pass [the bill]. Think again. Stop it,” Fayyaz said.
According to the MDP, 156 councils have expressed concern over the proposed changes.
The main provisions of the bill restrict councils in the final year of their term from undertaking specific financial actions without prior approval from the government. These actions include:
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Recruitment of employees—either on a permanent or contractual basis—for council offices
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Leasing or granting of islands, lagoons, and land areas under the jurisdiction of councils
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Initiating new development projects not listed in the existing development plans of councils
These restrictions would take effect with the amendment coming into force. As the current term of councils is set to expire in May 2026, the remaining term of approximately 10 months would fall under the scope of the proposed restrictions.
Under the bill, the Ministry of Finance and the Local Government Authority (LGA) would be responsible for granting the necessary approvals on behalf of the government.
