The conference began today in Haa Dhaalu atoll Kulhudhuffushi and will be held in different phases across various parts of Maldives. Under the first phase, which began today, the conference will be held in northern atolls of the country.
Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has launched a conference titled “Laamarukazee Gulhun,” criticizing the government's amendments to the Decentralization Act, which they allege will undermine the power of local councils.
The conference began today in Haa Dhaalu atoll Kulhudhuffushi and will be held in different phases across various parts of Maldives. Under the first phase, which began today, the conference will be held in northern atolls of the country.
MDP leaders, including Chairman Fayyaz Ismail, former Vice President Faisal Naseem, Male' City Mayor Adam Azim, and other senior party officials and MPs, are participating in the conference.
The aim of the conference is to inform councils about what MDP sees as the government's efforts to weaken decentralization and gather feedback on strengthening MDP's governance.
The conference is scheduled to continue until Tuesday next week, with visits to Shaviyani, Haa Alifu, and Haa Dhaalu atolls. According to MDP, the decentralization system, significantly revised by their government in 2019, is now at risk of "collapsing" due to recent amendments made by the current administration.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu ratified amendments to the Infrastructure Planning and Administration Act and the Decentralization Act last month.
MDP said that these changes allow the government to plan out land utilization in islands without local participation, violating the principles of decentralization.
The government's decision to reduce the number of council members has drawn further criticism from MDP.
Sign In
