Amendment to dissolve atoll councils passed

The Parliament has passed the amendment to the Constitution to dissolve atoll councils.

Baarah constituency and PNC member Ibrahim Shujau submitted the bill on behalf of the government, with the bill stating amendments to Article 231 of the Constitution, and to remove provisions of atoll councils from the article altogether.

The bill was passed during today's Parliamentary sitting, with 75 members voting for the bill out of the 87 MP's in attendance. The 12 MP's that voted against the bill were MP's from the opposition MDP.

Even after the bill is ratified, the current atoll councils that are in office will continue on until the end of their terms. The amendment will only come into effect after the Local Council election, as per the amendment.

An amendment regarding the loss of an MP's seat through a referendum vote if they are to change parties was also submitted. However, the amendment was removed during the committee stage. 

During yesterday's meeting of the Committee of the Whole Parliament, some opposition MP's made the accusation that atoll councils are being dissolved in order for the government to elect who they want to be in charge of atolls.

"All we are seeing is a change in name plaques. Instead of an atoll electing their own council, an individual will be appointed. This is the only difference that is coming out of this, as far as I can see," said Maradhoo MP Ahmed Didi.

Other opposition MP's have also expressed concern regarding the dissolution of atoll councils.