MDP’s ‘Bodu Badhalu’ Proposes Residency-Based Voting for Local Council Elections

A policy resolution has been submitted to the congress of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) proposing a policy change to allow individuals to vote in local council elections in the island where they reside, rather than at their permanent residence.

The “Major Reform” (Bodu Badhalu) policy resolution submitted to the upcoming October 1 congress by former MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail states that research should be conducted and necessary work carried out to enable individuals to vote in the island where they reside. The resolution has been endorsed by former Member of Parliament and co-chair of the party’s membership committee, Ilyas Labeeb.

The proposal advocates replacing the current rule that ties council voting to a citizen’s registered permanent address. Instead, it calls for necessary research and legislative work to allow individuals to vote in the electoral district where they actually reside. This shift aims to ensure citizens can directly elect the council candidates who manage local services in their daily communities.

Additionally, providing citizens with the opportunity to recall or remove any person elected to any public office during their elected term is also included among the changes.

“The proposed changes to the People’s Majlis include conducting research to transform parliament into a two-house legislature. This involves studying the concept of an upper house composed of professionals from various fields and working to implement that change.” 

When granting voting rights, the criteria evaluated vary across different countries. However, every country relies on the core principle of providing the opportunity for people residing in a specific locality to have a voice in municipal matters. In Europe and certain other regions, even non-citizens of that country are permitted to vote in municipal elections.

The plan also splits executive power between a Head of State and a parliamentary-accountable Head of Government. Additionally, it replaces anti-defection rules with public MP recall votes, introduces direct voter referendums to remove judges, and mandates residency-based voting. 

For local communities, the decentralisation policy paper delivers economic and administrative self-sufficiency to island and city councils. It guarantees fixed percentages of state revenue directly to councils for community projects, grants them borrowing powers tied to economic output, and permits Regional Community Banks. Additionally, island civil servants and public services will report directly to elected councillors, while political manifestos will be legally bound to a statutory long-term National Development Plan. 

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