The Local Government Authority (LGA) has stated that the use of council property in promoting certain political ideologies is in violation of the Decentralization Act and appealed to councils to act accordingly.

In the letters signed by LGA CEO Mohamed Nimal and sent to island council presidents while Male' City Hall was given to opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) over the weekend for their congress, Nimal said property and resources under the care of councils should be used to fulfill the responsibilities and interests according to the Decentralization Act.

The letter reads that according to the act, individuals, political party or family should not be prioritized in using the property and resources, and that equality should be observed.

Additionally, using council property, specifically plots and plots specifically for public services, to promote a political party's ideology is in violation of the Decentralization Act, according to the LGA.

"Council administrations are an important administration where people go to to acquire services and because of that, conducting political activities in such places may cause dissatisfaction in the hearts of the public," reads the letter.

"As councils are a layer that have been established under the law to provide state services upon a decentralized basis, this authority believes that if councils act in such a way that offering the services they provide may promote a political ideology, it may result in the public losing trust in this system."

The letter states that as such matters are in violation of the councils and councilors disciplinary code, LGA appeals to councils to not hold any political activities.

MDP requested government buildings for their 5th Congress from Thursday to Saturday night. Congress was held at Male' City Hall because they could not get another venue, said MDP.