MDP warns of uncertainty as decentralisation changes remain unclear

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on Thursday expressed concern that the Elections Commission (EC) has not been informed of the government’s proposed changes to the decentralisation system ahead of the upcoming local council elections.

The EC has announced that the council elections will be held on 28 March, with the nomination process scheduled to begin on 17 January.

Before the election, President Mohamed Muizzu stated that he plans to propose amendments to the decentralisation framework, including reducing the size of councils, cutting the number of councillors, and abolishing atoll councils.

In a statement issued Thursday, the MDP said these changes have not been submitted to Parliament and have not been discussed with political parties or opened for public comment.

According to the party:

The MDP said it met the EC on Wednesday to seek clarification. However, the EC informed the party that it had not been briefed by the government on any proposed amendments to the decentralisation system and had not been consulted on a draft bill.

“This shows that the government plans to use its majority in Parliament to influence the election by bringing last-minute changes to fundamental features of decentralisation, including constituency composition, council structure and candidate qualifications,” the MDP said in its statement.

The party called on the government to disclose any planned changes to the EC, political parties and the public without delay.

The Decentralisation Act was recently amended to reduce the powers of local councils. The bill, passed quickly in Parliament despite objections from some councils and the MDP, was signed into law by the President.

President Muizzu has said further changes will be made, and has previously described atoll councils as “useless”.

He has stated that an amendment to abolish atoll councils will be introduced when Parliament reconvenes, along with a proposal to reduce the number of councillors. He also said that voters will not need to elect atoll councillors in the upcoming ballot.