Goidhoo Council, where PNC holds a majority, passes resolution opposing amendments proposed by MP Hannan
14 އޯގަސްޓު 2026 | ހުކުރު 07:26The Goidhoo Island Council has expressed grave concern over proposed amendments to the Decentralization Act, asserting that the changes are unconstitutional and threaten to strip islands of their legal jurisdictions. In a formal resolution opposing the move, the council called for the immediate withdrawal of the amendments, warning that they would consolidate central government power and diminish public participation. The council further characterized the proposed changes as a significant setback to the nation's democratic system.
Member of Parliament Hannan greets President Muizzu upon his arrival in B. Goidhoo. | President's Office
The B. Goidhoo Council, where the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) holds a majority, has passed a resolution opposing the amendments to the Decentralization Act proposed by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru.
The People's National Congress (PNC) holds the majority on the three-member Goidhoo Council. Both the Council President, Ibrahim Shaneez, and Vice President Ridhuwan Abubakuru are members of the PNC. The third member, Mohamed Nafiz, represents the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). All three council members have signed the resolution.
The resolution states that the council considers the amendments proposed by Member Hannan to be in direct violation of the sovereign power of the people as enshrined in Article 4 of the Constitution. Furthermore, the council asserts that these changes contravene the objectives of decentralized administration outlined in Chapter 8, as well as the democratic progress the Maldives has achieved.
The resolution states that under the "Green Constitution" ratified in 2007, the most significant progress for Maldivian islands has been the empowerment of residents to participate in local decision-making, the authority to elect their own local leaders through public vote, and the assurance that island development is conducted through a framework of public accountability.
The Goidhoo Council has stated that the most significant progress achieved since the introduction of the decentralization system is the formal demarcation of island jurisdictions and the granting of land ownership to the islands. The council further noted that the framework for utilizing these jurisdictions has been established and approved with the full participation and support of the local community.
However, the council stated that if the newly proposed amendment is passed into law, it would grant central authorities in Malé the power to seize any part of a local jurisdiction at any time and in any manner they choose. Consequently, the Goidhoo Council warned that this would effectively strip local residents of their rightful ownership and authority over their own administrative boundaries.
The Goidhoo Council has called on President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to champion the decentralization system as pledged and to withdraw the proposed amendment, which they assert directly contradicts the Constitution. As the amendment was introduced by the constituency’s own representative, the council also urged MP Hannan to withdraw the submission, expressing their deep concern over the matter.
While the Goidhoo Council has issued this resolution, numerous other councils across the Maldives continue to express their concerns regarding the proposed amendment.
