Kendhikulhudhoo Council has decided to disregard the Local Government Authority (LGA)'s orders to revoke their statement, and to instead stand by it.
LGA had ordered the Noonu atoll Kendhikulhudhoo Council to revoke the statement they issued on the grounds of it being 'false'. The statement released by the council alleged that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's current tour of the atolls is a misuse of state resources and amounts to campaign activities under the guise of an official visit.
President of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) led council of Kendhikulhudhoo, Mohamed Rauf, announced on social media that the council will not be revoking the statement as they believed there is no legal grounds to force them to do so.
The statement that was released by the council did not have the signature of a specific council member. As a result, LGA raised questions about the legitimacy of the document as well.
However, a picture shared publicly by the Council show all five members standing in protest with tape over their mouths, with LGA written on the tapes - presumably alleging that LGA is attempting to silence them.
Last week, the council extended full cooperation when President Dr Mohamed Muizzu visited their island. They held official meetings with him, and deliberated at length about the concerns of residents.
They say the statement was released after the President, in his address to residents, directly appealed for support to ruling party candidates in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Sign In