The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has decided to go to court if President Mohamed Muizzu ratifies the amendment bill to the Decentralization Act to limit the authority of local councils.
MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail told Adhadhu that the party believes the amendments to the Decentralization Act are unconstitutional. He added that the party would take the matter to court if the bill is ratified.
"We are still hoping that [President Mohamed Muizzu] will not make such a big mistake. But if it is ratified, we will go to court," Fayyaz said.
He urged local councils to intervene when MDP takes the matter to court.
More than 80 councils have so far issued statements against the amendments restricting their rights and authority ahead of next years local council elections.
Amendments to the Decentralization Act
Restrictions on doing business
- Preventing councils from doing business if a private party is involved in the same business
- Only infrastructure development allowed
- Business investment or capital must exceeds MVR 10 million
- Existing council businesses must be stopped within three months if they violate the above rules
Restrictions on leasing properties
- Rent cannot be charged from properties allocated to various parties for providing basic services
Influencing financial matters
- Maintain bank accounts of councils under a rule from the Finance Ministry
- Council must provide a bank account statement if required by the Finance Ministry
Obstruction of council work
- If a council has one year left in its term, permanent and contract employees cannot be hired
- If a council has one year left in its term, land, lagoon, reef cannot be leased
- If a council has one year left in its term, new development projects cannot be announced
The bill was passed by the government-controlled parliament last week, but it has not yet been ratified. The President gets 15 days to deliberate before ratifying a bill.
