Decentralisation Act amendment seeks to make Councillors part-time staff of Councils

The government has proposed an amendment to the Decentralisation Act, which would make Councillors excluding the President and Vice President part-time staff of Councils.

The Amendment Bill submitted by Nilandhoo MP Abdulla Khaleel states that only the President and the Vice President of Councils shall act as full-time staff and attend work daily; and that the remaining Councillors would only attend meetings, and be involved in establishing procedures and finalising decisions.

Changes mentioned in the Amendment Bill include:

- Individuals who are elected as Councillors shall not be required to resign from their jobs

- Individuals who are elected as President or Vice President of Councils shall not hold any other jobs

- Councillors who receive most number of votes in Island Council Elections shall be included in Atoll Councils

- Only two Councillors shall be elected to Atoll Councils

- President of the Women’s Committee shall be included in Island Councils.

The Decentralisation Act presently states that individuals holding civil service jobs may run for Council seats, but must resign if elected as a Councillor.

The Amendment Bill also seeks to abolish Councils in islands with a population of less than 500 people.

If the population is less than 500, the administrative system of the island shall be determined by the Local Government Authority (LGA) and Atoll Councils, states the Amendment Bill to the Decentralisation Act.