Amendments submitted to Local Council Special Provisions Act ahead of extraordinary sitting

An amendment bill has been submitted to the People’s Majlis, seeking to amend the Local Council Elections Special Provisions act.

The government endorsed bill was submitted by Hulhumale’ constituency MP Ali Niyaz, ahead of the extraordinary sitting scheduled for Wednesday.

It seeks to shorten the window for the Elections Commission to publicize the official voter registry for the Local Council and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) Elections, from 45 to 30 days, so as to ensure that the voting is held within the required time as per the Special Provisions act.

Further, the bill seeks to shorten the window for the public to submit complaints following the publication of the official registry, from 10 days to five, as well as the time period for the commission to respond to the complaints.

While individuals can file cases at the High Court if discontent with the commission’s response, the court will be required to reach a verdict in seven days if the amendment bill is approved, instead of the 15 days stated as per current laws.

The new bill also states that the Elections Commission must begin preparations for the elections within seven days after ratification, as well as that the commission must follow the director general of public health’s instructions in doing so.

The purpose of the amendment bill is to ensure that the council elections are held as per the amendment passed back in June 2020.

The Local Council Elections and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections were scheduled for April 2020, but were postponed following the Covid-19 pandemic through a constitutional amendment to ensure there is no legal vacuum as the existing councilors’ terms were to expire in June 2020. This amendment also states that the elections must be held within one year of ratification.

However, the Elections Commission, who has been working to hold the election in April, has raised issues in doing so within the required time given the last extension to the state of public health emergency announced on January 4. As per the Maldives constitution, elections cannot be held during a state of public health emergency.

While the opposition claims that the government is purposely delaying the council elections over fears of a loss, main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) requested to hold an extraordinary session to resolve any issues that could further delay elections. The sitting is scheduled for 8:30pm on Wednesday.