MDP labels Ministry’s decision for Thulhadhoo housing applications as illegal

The Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) has condemned the Ministry of Housing, Land, and Urban Development’s decision to open applications for 100 housing units in Baa Atoll Thulhaadhoo, labeling the move "illegal" and a violation of the decentralized governance system. 

This controversy stems from a long-standing dispute over 100 units built during the previous MDP administration. Although the project was completed in 2022 and three announcements were made for their distribution, the Thulhaadhoo Magistrate Court eventually ordered a review of the process after residents expressed dissatisfaction with the allocation criteria. 

The Housing Ministry claims it was forced to intervene because the Thulhaadhoo Council failed to provide adequate cooperation or adhere to court-mandated guidelines, necessitating a ministry-led process to ensure transparency and fairness.

The opposition party issued a statement today asserting that the council was already working toward a fair distribution when the process was halted by a court order. 

"This is an act being carried out by the government in direct violation of the Constitution and the Decentralization Act, and it is explicitly contrary to the spirit of the decentralized system." stated by the MDP

The party claims the government is now acting in contempt of that order by suddenly centralizing the task and setting an application deadline of April 11, 2026. The MDP has called on the Thulhaadhoo Council to exhaust all legal avenues to resist this centralization and protect its administrative authority.

According to the Ministry’s announcement, the application window for these 100 units is scheduled to open this coming Sunday, January 11, 2026, through the Hiyaavehi Portal.