Abolishing Atoll Councils violates spirit of Constitution; MDP to seek legal recourse: Niyaz
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has decided to challenge the government's move to abolish atoll councils in court, asserting that the decision violates the spirit of the Constitution. As the party prepares to share its concerns with the Local Government Authority (LGA), the MDP’s Decentralization Committee warned that dissolving these councils in favor of re-establishing individual administrative offices would lead to increased state expenditure and significant disruptions to public services.
Ali Niyaz, Chairperson of the MDP Decentralization Committee. | Raajje MV
Former Hulhumale' MP and Chairperson of the MDP’s Decentralization Committee, Ali Niyaz, has stated that the decision to abolish Atoll Councils contradicts the spirit of the Constitution, confirming that the party will challenge the move in court.
Speaking to the media, Ali Niyaz stated that when the MDP's Decentralization Committee visited the Local Government Authority (LGA) on Wednesday to request a meeting, the authority instructed them to return for a formal meeting at 10:00 AM on Thursday.
He stated that the MDP has numerous concerns they wish to share with the Local Government Authority (LGA). These include issues regarding the decentralization system, the administrative operations of councils, and the specific role performed by the LGA, he added.
Ali Niyaz stated that the government's decision to abolish atoll councils is a matter of grave concern for the MDP's decentralization committee. He noted that these concerns would be shared during the upcoming meeting with the Local Government Authority (LGA).
Niyaz stated that the MDP has now decided to take the lead in initiating legal action to restore the previous status of atoll councils. He argued that the dissolution of these councils is a violation of the spirit of the Constitution.
Furthermore, Ali Niyaz stated that the government's efforts to establish branches of the Local Government Authority (LGA) across the atolls would also result in increased expenditure. Consequently, he noted that the decision to abolish atoll councils under the guise of cost-cutting is unacceptable.
The government's efforts to establish Local Government Authority (LGA) branches across the atolls will ultimately lead to increased expenditure. Therefore, the decision to dissolve atoll councils under the guise of cost-cutting is unacceptable. In reality, this government decision does not achieve any actual savings. Consequently, the MDP also seeks to clarify the LGA's official stance on this matter.Ali Niyaz
Following the dissolution of atoll councils due to recent amendments to the Decentralization Act, the Civil Service Commission has begun the process of terminating all Secretaries General. Simultaneously, the Commission has initiated the transfer of other civil service staff previously employed at atoll councils to the newly established Atoll Offices created by President Muizzu.
However, many citizens have previously expressed concern and criticized the government, as numerous services remain stalled due to the failure to decide on a formal designation for the atoll offices.
