Amendment passed to allow Councillors to run for additional term

The parliament has passed an amendment to the relevant law to allow Island Councillors and Atoll Councillors to express interest to contest in the election for an additional term, while still holding their posts as Councillors.

At today’s parliament sitting, 63 MPs voted in favour of abolishing the article which states that people who contest in council elections shall not hold a post to which they were elected under the Constitution.

This amendment to the Local Council Election Act was proposed by Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) Parliamentary Group Member, Hithadhoo-South MP Hassan Latheef.

Article 12 (a) (6) of the Local Council Election Act states that a person who holds a post to which he was elected under the Constitution shall not run for the post of Local Council Member.