The Local Government Authority (LGA) has requested the Noonu atoll Kendhikulhudhoo Council to revoke a statement issued Council on the grounds of it being 'false'. The statement released by the council alleged that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's current tour of the atolls is a misuse of state resources and amounts to campaign activities under the guise of an official visit.
President Muizzu visited the four northernmost atolls of the Maldives, including Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Shaviyani, and Noonu atolls last week. During the visit, he met with island councils, women's development committees, and island residents. President Muizzu has now begun his trip to the islands of Raa and Baa atolls.
In a statement, Kendhikulhudhoo Council asserted that President Muizzu was on an official visit to the island and spoke at an event organized by the council without their consent. The council implied that the event had been of a political nature, suggesting an attempt to garner support for the ruling party in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
In response to the statement, LGA sent a letter to the Council chairman, Mohamed Rauf, stating that Councils are entrusted with the responsibility of providing services rendered to the public by the state.
"Therefore, the decisions and press releases of the council shall be issued within the scope of the powers vested in the council in connection with the services provided to the council," the letter, signed by Chief Executive Officer of LGA Mariyam Zulfa, said.
The statement emphasized that local councils are the authorities mandated to provide public services, and the activities and services conducted by the councils should align with government policies. Therefore, councils do not possess the legal authority to issue statements against government policies, particularly undermining the responsibilities and decisions taken by an individual holding the position of President, the letter said.
"It is not permissible for any person to act in a manner that interferes with the exercise of the responsibilities and duties assigned to the President under Article 115 of the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives. At the same time, this authority condemns the actions of any State agency, especially the council, to obstruct the government from discharging the responsibility of a President elected on the basis of the votes of the people," the statement said.
The statement said that LGA condemned the issuance of the press statement, which "makes untrue accusations against the President in a way that undermines his dignity," despite the law requiring council members to respect the dignity of everyone in the performance of its duties.
Therefore, the lack of signatures from the council members and the absence of the name of the person responsible for the press release by the council raises questions about the validity of the statement. Hence, the statement should be canceled, and the LGA should be notified before 14:00 hrs tomorrow.
The President arrived in Kendhikulhudhoo last Thursday. The Council had organized all the arrangements to welcome and meet with the President and had actively participated in the meetings.
In his address to the residents of the island, President Muizzu appealed to the public to grant the ruling party a parliamentary majority to facilitate the fulfillment of all the pledges he has made to the people. He expressed concerns that achieving these goals might be challenging if the opposition secures a majority in the parliament.
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