Amendment Proposed to Forego By-Elections for Local Council and WDC Seats
Parliament of Maldives | Photo: People’s Majlis
An amendment has been submitted to the Decentralization Act that seeks to eliminate the need for by-elections to fill vacant seats in local councils and Women’s Development Committees (WDCs) when fewer than 548 days remain before the next scheduled election.
The amendment was submitted to Parliament by Hoarafushi MP Ali Moosa of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC). The proposed changes target Articles 15, 29, 45, and 6–15 of the Decentralization Act.
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According to the proponent, the amendment aims to address the increasing number of vacant seats in councils and WDCs, which have led to frequent by-elections and rising election-related expenditure. Under current legislation, by-elections may be forgone only if there are fewer than 365 days left before the end of a council’s or committee’s term.
The term of the current local council and WDC members is set to expire in May 2026. If passed, the amendment would significantly extend the period during which vacant seats may remain unfilled, reducing the frequency and cost of by-elections.
In a broader legislative agenda, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the government plans to submit 30 bills to Parliament this year. This includes further proposed amendments to the Decentralization Act, aimed at restructuring council compositions and enhancing gender representation.
The government is proposing that islands with populations under 2,000 elect three-member councils and WDCs, while those with populations above 2,000 elect five-member councils and WDCs. It is also proposing that WDC presidents be elected through a direct vote and that the current cap on the number of city councillors be maintained. Additionally, the government is seeking to increase the women’s quota in councils from 33 percent to 40 percent.
A total of MVR 2.15 billion has been allocated in block grants to councils for this year. According to the latest data published by the Ministry of Finance, MVR 717 million of the allocated amount had been disbursed as of 24 May.
