The Local Government Authority (LGA) has expressed its disapproval of the decision to grant the Male' City Hall for the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) congress, following a series of refusals from the government and state-affiliated institutions to provide a venue within the Greater Male’ area.
In a statement released last night, the LGA asserted that "promoting a political party" on council-owned land is an unlawful act.
"This Authority considers the use of council offices, their premises, or land registered under the council for public services to foster or promote the ideology of a political party to be a violation of the principles stipulated in the [Decentralization] Act," the statement read.
The authority further issued a directive to all local councils to refrain from activities that promote political parties. It warned that any such actions would be deemed a breach of the code of conduct for councilors.
While the government refused to provide a venue for the MDP congress, the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) recently held its congress at the Social Centre. Additionally, Maafannu Madharusaa was also utilized for PNC activities.
The MDP congress, which was held at Male’ City Hall (Thaisei Koshi), was attended by 986 delegates, despite the venue lacking sufficient space for such a large gathering. Speaking at a press conference prior to the event, the party’s Vice President, Ibrahim Waheed, criticized the government’s conduct.
"During their congress, the President spoke about providing equal opportunities to all political parties. At that moment, I thought of the sheer audacity—holding their congress by occupying the Social Centre and three schools in Male’, while refusing to grant us a single venue for ours," Waheed said.
