Under pressure, committee extends deadline for amendment allowing seizure of council lands
16 އޯގަސްޓު 2026 | އާދީއްތަ 09:49A parliamentary committee has extended the deadline to this Thursday for reviewing proposed amendments to the Decentralization Act following significant public outcry. The move comes as an e-petition calling for the bill’s withdrawal was submitted to the People’s Majlis, marking the first time a digital petition has garnered enough signatures to mandate a floor debate. Critics argue that the proposed changes would strip local councils of their authority and undermine the fundamental spirit of the decentralization system.
Parliamentary Committee on Decentralization. | Majlis
The Parliament's Decentralization Committee has extended the deadline for completing work on a proposed amendment to the Decentralization Act, which would grant the government the authority to reclaim lands and properties currently under the jurisdiction and ownership of local councils.
During the committee meeting held on Sunday, members voted unanimously to extend the deadline. The committee has now approved a new timeline to complete the work on the bill by this Thursday.
Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, the Member of Parliament for the Thulhaadhoo constituency, has proposed an amendment to the Decentralization Act that would allow the government to remove lands and areas under the jurisdiction of local councils for the purpose of national development projects. Although the Decentralization Committee had initially aimed to complete its review of the bill within five days, that deadline expired this past Sunday.
The committee has extended the deadline for its review of the bill at a time when an e-petition has been submitted to the People’s Majlis calling for the withdrawal of the amendment.
According to the regulations of the People’s Majlis, this is classified as a "Threshold 2" petition. As the first petition submitted with the required number of signatures to mandate a floor debate, it has become the first such petition in the history of the Parliament to necessitate a formal debate.
The bill has sparked significant concern among the public and local councils. A petition submitted to Parliament highlights that the proposed amendment would strip elected councilors of their authority, effectively transferring those powers to the Cabinet.
The petition further noted that these changes would pave the way for punitive measures against elected councilors representing the public, under the pretext of failing to cooperate with decisions made by the Cabinet.
Furthermore, the petition asserts that these amendments contravene the fundamental spirit of the Decentralization Act and restrict the public's right to participate in decision-making. As sovereign power is derived from the people, many are calling for the withdrawal of the bill, arguing that it diminishes public authority. It is believed that the committee extended the timeline for its review of the bill to take these widespread concerns into account.
