MP Hussain Shareef: Characteristics unacceptable to the public in the council framework

North Hulhumale’ MP Hussain Shareef representing the ruling PNC states the low voter turnout in by-elections is an indication of characteristics in the local council framework that are unacceptable to the public.

He made the remark while debating on the amendment submitted to limit local council by-elections to twice a year. In this regard, MP Hussain Shareef said an adequate service has not been provided to the public by the election of five councilors and henceforth, the amendment to elect three councilors was submitted over the failure to produce results.

Underscoring that laws are formulated for the purpose of providing high-quality services to the public, he said it is the parliament’s responsibility to make the amendments as desired by the people if the services are not accepted by the public.

He stressed that lawmakers were elected to the parliament to advocate on behalf of their constituents, adding the voter turnout in local council by-elections has established the opinion of the public.

As an example, he pointed out that only an estimate of 7,000 people cast their vote in Male’ City Council by-election despite approximately 35,000 being eligible to vote.

“The takeaway from this is that the people have voiced their opinion, that there are characteristics in this framework that are unacceptable to them. The results of by-election show that people are refusing to vote due to island councils and city councils’ failure to provide acceptable services,” he said.

Speaking further, MP Hussain Shareef said while Maldives takes examples in various matters from other nations, they cannot be implemented in the same manner in the Maldives hindering the achievement of the targeted prospects.

In this regard, he said other nations hold such elections after establishing the basic necessities and resources to provide such services while alleging Maldives holds by-elections without fulfilling such requirements.