Ghafoor alleges risk to decentralisation if PNC wins councils
Referring to the government’s parliamentary supermajority, Ghafoor said actions taken over the past year demonstrate its approach to governance.
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Abdul Ghafoor Moosa on Thursday alleged that if the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) secures a majority in local councils, it could move to abolish councils and reverse decentralisation.
Ghafoor made the remarks at the launch of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) campaign for the upcoming local council elections, held at Artificial Beach.
He said the PNC does not support decentralisation and democratic governance. Referring to the government’s parliamentary supermajority, Ghafoor said actions taken over the past year demonstrate its approach to governance.
Among the issues he cited were restrictions on council activities during the final year of their term, the removal of certain revenue sources previously available to councils, and proposals to bring atoll-level administration under a central ministry rather than elected atoll councils.
Ghafoor said that if the PNC gains control of local councils in the 4 April elections, it could take steps to reduce or eliminate council powers.
He also alleged that the Decentralisation Act had been undermined following the ruling party’s parliamentary majority.
Ghafoor said democracy and local empowerment require elected bodies with authority at the island and atoll levels. He warned that decisions taken in the council elections could affect the structure of local governance.
The PNC has not issued a response to the remarks.
