The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has strongly condemned the government’s proposed amendments to the Decentralization Act, alleging that the changes aim to dismantle the system and erode the powers of local councils.
According to the MDP, the bill, which is scheduled for its first reading in Parliament tomorrow, seeks to curb councils’ ability to conduct business, implement development projects, hire employees, and generate income through rent from public facilities. The party also criticized new limitations on the financial decisions councils can make in their final year before elections.
In a statement, the MDP accused the ruling PNC government of using state authority to weaken local councils ahead of the upcoming local elections, warning that the move would destroy councils’ financial independence. The party urged local councils to protest against the amendments and defend the decentralization framework.
Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih also called on the government to withdraw the bill. He said decentralization was one of the most significant systemic reforms introduced under the Constitution, enabling local development and empowerment.
President Solih highlighted that the 2019 reforms to the Decentralization Act were widely debated and passed with cross-party consensus. He described the current proposal as a regressive move that would unjustly strip villages of their right to self-govern and develop.
He warned that the centralization of powers for political purposes would reverse the progress achieved and ultimately harm local communities. President Solih urged Parliament to reconsider the amendments in the interest of preserving the spirit of decentralization.
According to the MDP, the bill, which is scheduled for its first reading in Parliament tomorrow, seeks to curb councils’ ability to conduct business, implement development projects, hire employees, and generate income through rent from public facilities. The party also criticized new limitations on the financial decisions councils can make in their final year before elections.
In a statement, the MDP accused the ruling PNC government of using state authority to weaken local councils ahead of the upcoming local elections, warning that the move would destroy councils’ financial independence. The party urged local councils to protest against the amendments and defend the decentralization framework.
Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih also called on the government to withdraw the bill. He said decentralization was one of the most significant systemic reforms introduced under the Constitution, enabling local development and empowerment.
President Solih highlighted that the 2019 reforms to the Decentralization Act were widely debated and passed with cross-party consensus. He described the current proposal as a regressive move that would unjustly strip villages of their right to self-govern and develop.
He warned that the centralization of powers for political purposes would reverse the progress achieved and ultimately harm local communities. President Solih urged Parliament to reconsider the amendments in the interest of preserving the spirit of decentralization.
