The "special bill to ensure decentralized administrative divisions" had its first reading on Wednesday.

The bill sponsored by MP for West Henveiru, Hassan Latheef, was read by Speaker Mohamed Nasheed during Wednesday's parliament sitting.

While the council elections were originally slated for April 4, it was delayed to April 18 over Covid-19 fears. However, authorities are working to delay it further given the state of public health emergency declared across the country, until 6th January 2021 at the latest.

As such, the bill notes that the current council terms are set to expire on June 3rd and will result in vacant seats.

Further, the bill highlights Article 230 of the constitution that mandates "all administrative divisions of the Maldives administration be administered decentrally" and Article 231 which states that "all members of councils created for decentralised administration shall be democratically elected by secret ballot by their respective communities"

It goes onto note that ensuring the practice of article 230 and 231 is the responsibility of the state as per article 8 of the constitution. Article 8 decrees that "the powers of the State shall be exercised in accordance with the Constitution"

Emphasising the impending vacancies in council, the bill states that the constitution has no set protocol for the current circumstances.

Therefore, the bill allows the current council officials to retain positions until an election is held and new officials take office. According to the bill, incumbent officials have full authority, as granted by the constitution, to make decisions and will be held accountable for said decisions during this period.

The bill will come into effect once ratified and published in the state gazette and is to b annulled once new officials take office.