Parliament passes local elections bill, breaks for recess

Legislation on local council elections was passed today in the last sitting of this year’s first session of parliament.

The bill was voted through with 38 votes in favour, 21 against and two abstentions. All MPs of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in attendance either voted against the bill or abstained.

Last week, the landmark bill on decentralized administration was passed with amendments approved by the opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) after MDP MPs (MDP) walked out in protest.

The model of seven provinces for decentralized administration put forward by the government was removed from the draft legislation by the opposition-dominated committee.

Presenting the local council elections bill to the floor, Mohamed Mujthaz, DRP MP for Hanimadhoo and chairman of the review committee, said amendments were made following consultations with the attorney general’s office and Elections Commission.

Further changes were made to bring the bill in line with the amended decentralization bill, he added.

A total of 13 amendments were approved on the floor today. However ammendment submitted by MDP MP Eva Abdullah to give women at least 30 percent of the seats in both atoll and island councils, thrown out by the DRP in a vote.

“By rejecting our ammendent to article 4, [the DRP] have disenfranchised a large part of the population,” she claimed.

The main point of contention in the final debate revolved around the tenure of island and atoll councilors appointed by President Mohamed Nasheed.

However, following discussions between the two main parties, an amendment was passed with bipartisan support to stipulate that, once the council elections are announced, the Civil Service Commission shall designate a civil servant to become the highest-ranking government official in the constituency for the interim period.

Other amendments proposed by MDP MPs, such as omitting a clause that would suspend civil servants who contest elections and setting a 30 per cent quota for women in the councils, were defeated.

An amendment proposed by Nilandhoo MP Abdul Muhsin to ensure job security for losing candidates from the civil service was approved with 41 votes.

Meanwhile, at last night’s MDP rally, Hassan Afeef, political advisor to the president, said the government will follow its policy of grouping atolls into provinces despite the passage of the decentralisation bill.

Although the bill gives too powers over the councils to the government, Afeef said President Nasheed’s administration will empower local councils.

At an earlier rally, “Reeko” Mossa Manik, MDP parliamentary group leader, said the party could pass amendments to the Decentralisation Act to reintroduce provinces.

Speaking to press upon his arrival in Male’ on Sunday night, President Nasheed said he will review the bill before making a decision on ratification.

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