MDP says Thinadhoo Mayor’s suspension is PNC’s attempt to undermine council

The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has stated that the suspension of Thinadhoo City's Mayor and Deputy Mayor was an act by the main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) to undermine the council's reputation and diminish the power of MDP councilors.

In a press release condemning the baseless suspension of Thinadhoo City Council's Mayor Saud Ali and Deputy Mayor Nasrullah Ali by the Local Government Authority (LGA), the main opposition party stated that this was an action taken by the ruling PNC to undermine the council's reputation and reduce the powers of MDP-affiliated councilors in view of the upcoming local council elections next year.

The statement also mentioned that LGA took this measure based on unfounded complaints submitted to the authority because the council was not acting according to the wishes of MP for North Thinadhoo constituency, Saudhullah Hilmy. MDP claimed that Hilmy had repeatedly exerted influence on LGA when these issues were not addressed, and had threatened the councilors with suspension on various platforms.

MDP also stated that the Thinadhoo City Council had fully cooperated with LGA in investigating these matters, according to information provided to MDP by the council.

Further, MDP’s statement noted that the councilors were suspended hastily without any warning, and that LGA had not instructed any measures to improve the administrative functioning of the Thinadhoo City Council until now.

In addition to this, LGA had not officially informed the Thinadhoo City Council about taking such a measure even when the office was closed. MDP believes that LGA is working to prevent the Thinadhoo Council from going to court to overturn the illegal measure.

The statement also mentioned that during the first administration of the ruling coalition between PNC and the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), councilors were suspended without any due process, and now the current government is also working to undermine the power of the Decentralization Act. MDP sees this as an additional step in the government's efforts to centralize power.

MDP has assured the councils that it will work through the People's Majlis and the courts against the obstacles the government is placing on councils fulfilling their legally mandated responsibilities. The party has also called on councils to stand up against the illegal measures being taken by the government through LGA.