Majlis extends session again to finalize bills on council land reclamation and government interests
18 އޯގަސްޓު 2026 | އަންގާރަ 11:54The Parliament has extended its current session for a second time to finalize several key government-proposed bills, including a controversial amendment that would allow the central government to reclaim land under local council jurisdiction. This move has sparked growing concern among some lawmakers and the public, who allege that parliamentary proceedings are being increasingly manipulated to serve the administration's interests.
Speaker of the People's Majlis, Abdul Raheem Abdulla, presiding over the parliament. | People's Majlis
The People's Majlis has approved a second extension of its current session, scheduling the final sitting for the 27th of this month.
The current second session of Parliament was initially extended last Wednesday. During that sitting, it was decided that the final session of the term would be held on Thursday, June 20.
The proposal to extend the current session for a second time was put forward by the Speaker of the Parliament, Abdul Raheem Abdulla. The motion was passed with a majority of 58 members voting in favor. Nine members voted against the extension.
The first session of Parliament this year was extended under the pretext of completing urgent legislative work. However, even during that extension, the proceedings focused solely on matters serving the government's interests. Specifically, the extended period was utilized to carry out the process of removing the Member for Dhiggaru constituency, Ahmed Nazim, from his position as the Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
It is believed that the decision to extend the current parliamentary term twice was made because work remains unfinished on a bill that would allow the government to reclaim land under council jurisdiction. Furthermore, the extensions are likely due to pending work on several other bills involving significant government interests.
While public concern grows over a proposed amendment to the Decentralization Act that would allow the government to reclaim land and sites under local council jurisdiction for state development projects, pro-government lawmakers continue to defend the bill’s provisions.
Concerns are mounting among the public as the 20th People’s Majlis continues to cancel numerous sittings while fast-tracking only specific legislation sought by the government.
Several members have noted that prioritizing government interests in the conduct of parliamentary affairs is leading to a standstill, depriving other critical legislative responsibilities of the attention they require.
While the government maintains that extending the parliamentary term will provide the necessary opportunity to advance legislative work, the public remains watchful of how this additional time will be utilized.
