Amendments submitted to reduce councilors, scrap atoll councils

Constitutional reforms where amendments such as atoll councils are not included within the decentralization system have been submitted to the Parliament on behalf of the government.

The First Reading for the bill has been put on the agenda for today's Parliament hearing.

As per the amendment submitted by Baarah MP and PNC member Ibrahim Shujau on behalf of the government, it states the annulment of Article 230, B of the Constitution which states, "In order to provide for decentralized administration, the President has the power, as provided in law, to create constituencies, posts, island councils, atoll councils and city councils."

Shujau's amendment that was submitted also includes the annulment of the article describing the formation of atoll councils and the article describing the process for atoll council elections.

Along with the aforementioned, the amendment also includes Article 231 of the Constitution, which describes the election of the President and Vice President of the councils, along with the election of city council Mayors by secret ballot of the members.

Shujau's amendment also states that next year's Local Council Elections are to abide by the amendments.

Along with amendments to the Constitution, the government has also submitted amendments to the Decentralization Act and the Local Council Election Regulations.

Inguraidhoo MP and PNC Leader Ibrahim Falah submitted the amendment on behalf of the government, which states the reduction of council members to three on an island with a population less than 2,000, along with the reduction of council members to five on an island with a population more than 2,000.

The amendment has made it mandatory for an island council with three councilors to reserve a seat specifically for women, with an island council of five members to reserve two seats for women.

Furthermore, the amendment states that a President who is elected via a secret ballot within the island or city's residents can work as a full time member of the Women's Development Committee.

Last August, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had described atoll councils to be a redundant layer within the decentralization system, with him stating that the Constitution will be amended in order to abolish atoll councils.

President Muizzu stated that citizens will not have to vote for atoll councils during the next Local Council Election.

"Citizens will be empowered with the removal of these layers. Every island council will need to work with the relevant ministries and companies directly. There is no need for an atoll council," said the President.