The Decentralization Committee has passed a bill to limit the powers of local councils ahead of next year's local council elections.
The bill was passed at the committee meeting held on Tuesday night without any major changes.
The ruling People's National Congress (PNC) MPs voted in favour of the bill. They are Villimale' MP Hassan Waheed, Henveiru North MP Ahmed Aifan, Ungoofaar MP Ibrahim Shifaz, Gemanafushi MP Asadullah Shihab and Kolamaafushi MP Ibrahim Didi.
Keyodhoo MP Mohamed Niushad from the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) voted against the bill.
The bill is expected to be debated on the parliament floor and approved on Wednesday.
However, dozens of local councils, political parties and the Local Councils Association have called for the bill to be withdrawn.
Although councils can now do business freely under the law, the bill proposes to impose new restrictions. The bill states that the council cannot be involved in a business if a private party does the same business on the island.
The bill also imposes restrictions on the council's right to lease land. According to the bill, no rent can be charged from any land allocated to various parties for the purpose of providing basic services to the people.
According to the bill, the council's bank accounts will be operated under a rule determined by the Finance Ministry. The councils must provide a bank account statement when required by the ministry.
It also imposes restrictions on hiring permanent and contract staff, leasing land, lagoon and reef areas under the jurisdiction of the council and initiating unplanned development projects if councils have only one year left in their term.
