The Local Government Authority (LGA), the supervisory body for councilors, has been handed the power to easily and immediately suspend councilors whenever it deems necessary.

These powers were granted on Monday after President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu ratified the bill to amend the Decentralization Act.

The changes took effect on Tuesday. Notably, the original amendment bill did not include any provision allowing LGA to instantly suspend councilors.

This authority was inserted later, following a decision by the parliamentary ad-hoc committee that reviewed the legislation. Previously, Article 62 of the Decentralization Act set out specific procedures that had to be followed before suspending a councilor.

Those procedures applied when councilors, council presidents, vice presidents, or mayors neglected their duties, misused council powers or resources, or violated codes of conduct, triggering possible disciplinary action. Any such action required approval from the Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works.

LGA also had to instruct the councilor to correct the issues identified during an investigation, with suspension only permitted if the issues were not rectified. Under those provisions, a councilor could be suspended without salary and allowances for up to three months.

With the new amendment, LGA now has the discretion to immediately suspend councilors without navigating that lengthy process or issuing prior advice.

The People’s Majlis amended Article 62 by adding a clause allowing immediate action based on an inquiry report, if LGA determines sufficient grounds exist to act against a councilor, mayor, council president or vice president.

Parliament has also approved a separate amendment to reduce the number of councilors, just one year before local council elections.

This amendment was passed on Thursday, despite objections from members, councilors, and advocacy groups working for decentralized governance. It was proposed by MP for Inguraidhoo constituency Ibrahim Falah. While 54 lawmakers supported the bill, 11 lawmakers from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) voted against it.