President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has ratified the legislation to ensure continued functioning of decentralized governance in the Maldives.

Law number 5/2020 was ratified on Tuesday and outlines the powers of the council member who remain in office in an interim capacity, as well as the conduct expected from them.

The newly ratified act is supplementary to the ratification of Law number 3/2020 which allows the postponement of the Local Council Elections until it is safe to hold the elections, which were previously slated for April 4.

It is also in addition to the amendments ratified to Article 231 of the Maldives' Constitution, which allows city, atoll and island councilors to remain in office beyond their electoral-tenure, under exceptional circumstances.

The unreasonable situation for holding the elections during the ongoing Covid-19 crisis demanded all of these legislative measures.

The nationwide State of Public Health Emergency which was declared on March 12, still remains and the ratification will ensure the continuous functioning of the government in a decentralized manner without interruptions or legal obstacles, during the ongoing pandemic.