Majlis rejects extending council terms to 5 years

People’s Majlis, on Monday, failed to pass the bill to amend Constitution so that the term of local councils can be extended from 3 years to 5 years.

51 lawmakers voted in favor of Kudahuvadhoo MP Ahmed Amir while 17 voted against the bill.

However, vote of three-quarters of the Majlis – vote of 64 lawmakers - is required to pass any amendment to the Constitution

MP Amir proposed the amendment to Article 231 (3) of the Constitution, which states the term of a local council as 3 years.

Kudahuvadhoo MP Ahmed Amir. Photo: People's Majlis

Amir said that local council election every three years meant that the elections would be held three times during two terms of Presidency – requiring excessive expenditure.

He said that extending the term of local councils to 5 years would significantly reduce state expenditure.

His bill to amend Constitution so that presidents and vice presidents to local councils are elected through a public vote also failed to pass

51 lawmakers voted for the amendment while 19 lawmakers voted against it - again failing to secure three-quarters of the Majlis.