MPs to request Speaker's advice over indecision regarding Council bills

The Parliamentary Committee on Decentralization will request the advice of the Speaker Mohamed Nasheed over the direction to be taken in the Committee’s work surrounding the two bills proposed to extend the terms of councilors in the Maldives.

Councilor terms in the Maldives will officially expire on June 6, with so set date for the next local council elections due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus has forced the elections originally scheduled for April 4, to be delayed without a date.

A bill has been proposed by West Henveiru MP Hassan Latheef in the form of a sunset bill. MP for Bilehdhoo Ahmed Haleem has also proposed a separate bill that will amend the constitution in order to extend the terms of councilors. The first reading of the bill was carried out today.

MP s got into disagreements over the bill proposed by MP Hassan Latheef during the Committee stage. The issue was that both bills would basically have the same outcome. 

Ungoofaaru MP Mohamed Waheed decided to consult with the Speaker Mohamed Nasheed over the matter, which was supported by Thulhaadhoo MP Hisaan Hussain as well as six more MPs.

Committee chair and Hulhumale MP Hassan Niyaz requested MPs to find a solution to the issue at hand regarding councilors as soon as possible which was also noted by MP Hisaan.

MP Hisaan said “I would like to bring to your attention that barely two weeks remain for the terms of existing councilors to expire. So, if we cannot move forward with decisions when the two weeks are over, we may be in a state of hollowness.” 

MPs also discussed to not extend the terms of the next councilors. MP Waheed stated that apart from the existing councilors no other would wish to extend their terms. 

Many disagreements have risen with the issue regarding councilors. Differences have arisen whether to proceed with a sunset bill or to amend the constitution. Both the Councilor-General and Attorney-General as well as some experts of the legal sector have stated that the correct way would be to proceed by amending the constitution.