Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid on Thursday, declared that Maldives would receive foreign aid to strengthen and efficiently run a decentralized system.
During a canvassing trip for the upcoming Local Council Elections (LCE) to Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, Minister Shahid, addressing the residents of Vaadhoo, noted that foreign nations have planned to assist Maldives' efforts to implement the system.
Shahid also revealed that the Foreign Ministry has successfully formulated a system to assist in sourcing international funding for projects proposed by islands under decentralization policies.
Slated for April 4, a total of 982 councillors will be elected in the first local council election to be held following a major amendment to the Decentralisation Act granting considerable autonomy and authority to the councils.
Further, Shahid claimed that only the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidates were capable of bringing about decentralization.
Ministry of Health, on Sunday, formally handed over the management of all Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP) projects valued below MVR 5 million to local councils, as per the eighth amendment to the Decentralisation Act.
President Solih further noted that in order to ensure meaningful representation of women in the decision-making process, a third of each council will comprise of female representatives. He also highlighted provisions which call for the election of a five-member Women's Development Committee from each island.
As per the Elections Commission (EC) over 1,800 women have submitted their candidacy for the Women's Development Committee (WDC) elections to be held concurrently with the LCE.
Sign In