Nasheed Calls for Withdrawal of Council Land Amendment
11 އޯގަސްޓު 2026 | އަންގާރަ 10:35Speaking at an MDP protest held near the People’s Majlis on Tuesday to defend the decentralization system, former President Nasheed asserted that the primary objective of the proposed bill is to bring the entire country under the absolute control of the central government. Nasheed further contended that the legislation fails to achieve its stated purposes.
Former President Mohamed Nasheed speaks at a rally organized by the MDP. | Raajje MV
Former President Mohamed Nasheed has stated that the most prudent course of action would be to withdraw the proposed legislative amendment that allows for the seizure of land under the jurisdiction of local councils.
Speaking at a protest held Tuesday near the People’s Majlis to defend the decentralization system, former President Nasheed stated that the primary objective of passing this bill is to bring the entire country under the absolute control of the state. President Nasheed further asserted that the bill fails to achieve its stated objectives.
President Nasheed further stated that the bill significantly contradicts and clashes with the Constitution of the Maldives. He expressed concern over numerous shortcomings and errors within the legislation. Specifically, President Nasheed highlighted that the bill grants the government the authority to acquire land even before a land-use plan has been established.
This bill is in significant conflict with the Constitution of the Maldives and remains highly contentious. Upon closer inspection, the legislation contains numerous other deficiencies and what I believe to be fundamental errors. For instance, the bill stipulates that the government may seize land even before a Land Use Plan has been established.Mohamed Nasheed
Furthermore, President Nasheed noted that the Maldives has an existing Land Act, under which specific regulations for land registration are established. However, he raised concerns regarding the ambiguity over which authorities currently hold the mandate to register land in the islands.
Furthermore, President Nasheed stated that the bill was drafted without any careful consideration. He therefore called for the withdrawal of the bill and urged President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu not to give his executive assent to the legislation.
The MDP Decentralization Committee has submitted its concerns regarding this bill to various government institutions. However, no institution has yet issued a statement or responded to the matter.
