The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has submitted a resolution to the People’s Majlis seeking a public referendum on whether to proceed with a project in Rasmalé, contracted to the UAE-based company Eagle Hills, which would allow foreign nationals to establish residency.
The MDP proposed the referendum regarding the Rasmalé project under Section 3 of the Referendum Act.
This section stipulates that the Parliament may decide to hold a public referendum to gauge public opinion on matters where the Majlis deems it essential to consult the citizenry as part of its legislative mandate.
Under Section 6 of the same Act, a resolution to hold a public referendum requires the approval of a majority of the total membership of the People’s Majlis. A minimum of 47 votes would be required to pass such a resolution.
The resolution states that the call for a referendum stems from the fact that Rasmalé consists of a vast area of land reclaimed using state funds. It further notes that granting long-term residency to foreigners on this land could have significant long-term implications for national interests.
The question the MDP has proposed for the referendum ballot reads: "Do you favour granting 500 hectares of land from Fushidhiggaru lagoon or Rasmalé to Eagle Hills company for 99 years to conduct a project named 'Maldives Waterfront and Marina,' which includes the right for foreign nationals to establish residency on that land?"
The MDP has requested that the vote be conducted within 60 days of the resolution’s passage by Parliament. If approved, this timeframe would allow a two-month period to clarify information regarding the project to the public.
The resolution submitted by the MDP to the Majlis includes arguments both in favour of and against the Rasmalé issue.
The Referendum Act, which also empowers the President to seek public opinion before making decisions on matters of national importance, was passed by Parliament and ratified by the President on September 18 last year.
Since the enactment of this law, two referendums have been held to date. The first was conducted to determine the views of residents in Addu City regarding the potential separation of Feydhoo, Meedhoo, and Hulhudhoo.
In April this year, the government held a referendum to determine whether the Parliamentary and Presidential elections should be synchronised. The outcome of that vote went against the government’s campaign position.
