Muizzu seizes control of council staffing following takeover of local land jurisdictions
2 ސެޕްޓެމްބަރު 2026 | ބުދަ 08:20As part of the government's cost-cutting measures, local councils are now required to obtain approval from the Local Government Authority (LGA) before hiring any new staff. This decision centralizes the authority to fill both permanent and temporary positions, even those funded by the councils' own revenue or budgets. However, the move has drawn significant criticism as it coincides with a continued increase in the number of political appointments within the central government.
A meeting of the Local Government Authority (LGA) board. | LGA
The administration of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stripped local councils of their authority to recruit staff, following a previous move that allowed the government to reclaim lands under council jurisdiction at its discretion.
Despite coming to power with a pledge to champion the decentralization system, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu is now centralizing the powers of local councils and consolidating authority within his own hands.
In a letter issued on September 1, Mohamed Nimal—a ruling party activist appointed by President Muizzu as the Chief Executive Officer of the Local Government Authority (LGA)—informed local councils that they must now obtain written authorization from the Authority before making any new hires. The directive mandates that councils seek prior approval for all recruitment funded by the state budget or council revenue. This includes filling new or vacant permanent positions, as well as hiring staff on a contract or wage basis for temporary needs and specific projects within the local governance framework.
"The letter further states that prior authorization from the Authority must be obtained before announcing any vacancies for temporary roles or project-specific positions, including contract work, wage-based employment, consultancies, or any other form of remunerated service."
The letter stated that, effective September 1, 2026, no staff members shall be recruited for council positions without obtaining prior written authorization from the Authority.
While these measures have reportedly been implemented to reduce state expenditure, the administration continues to appoint individuals to political positions with substantial salaries. It is further alleged that some of these appointees have no defined responsibilities within their offices and are not required to maintain regular attendance.
President Muizzu has ratified a bill passed by Parliament last week, which grants the central government the authority to reclaim lands under council jurisdiction, alongside the recent move to take control of local government employment positions.
The People's Majlis passed the 19th amendment to the Decentralization Act last Wednesday. Following its ratification on September 1, the amended law has now officially come into effect.
With the ratification of this bill into law, all assets and resources owned by atoll councils have been officially transferred under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance.
While more than 6,000 people signed a petition opposing the move, the People’s Majlis—widely criticized as a "rubber stamp" parliament under President Muizzu’s full control—has passed the proposed amendments to the Decentralization Act.
