Amendment proposes dissolution of Councils that challenge legitimacy of Government

Member of Parliament Riyaz Rasheed has proposed an amendment to the Act on Decentralized Administration, which, if passed, would automatically dissolve any Island or Atoll or City Council that challenges the legitimacy of any reigning government.

MP Riyaz represents Thaa Vilufushi Constituency in the People’s Majlis.

Riyaz’s amendment proposes the addition of a provision to Section 66 of the Act in question. The amendment says that if a Council states in any manner or decides on its own that the government of the day is illegitimate, that Council would henceforth be automatically dissolved.

Riyaz has proposed eight additional amendments to some four sections of the Act. The Amendments proposed to Section 41 would, if passed, give the government the authority to determine how some of the powers conferred on the City Councils would be discharged.

Riyaz’s amendments would narrow down the authorities of Councils over land, reef, lagoons and residential building activities within the jurisdiction of the Councils.

The amendments also propose that taking measures to counter island-erosion, repair and maintenance of seawalls and harbors should be included under the responsibilities of Councils.

Addu City Council and Malé City Council, both controlled by former President Mahomet Nasheed’s Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), have declared that they would not accept the present government of President Dr. Mohammed Waheed Hassan Manik to be legitimate. Since Dr. Waheed took over in February this year, there have been a series of issues as a result.