Minister of Home Affairs Imran Abdulla has said the approach towards the 2020 local council elections has been very pleasing following the new amendments to the Decentralisation Act.
Addressing the nation as Maldives marks the 10th anniversary of the adoption of a decentralisation system, Home Minister Imran said citizens are truly benefitting from the new amendments to the Decentralisation Act. The minister said the empowerment of councils with financial freedom has ended the dependency of local councils on the central government. He said the amendment has enabled councils to benefit economically from the jurisdictions of the council, adding the councils have now been entrusted and empowered to an extent no former administration has ever done before.
Highlighting on the decision to allow 33% of all councils to women, Minister Imran said it has allowed the empowerment of women and their contribution in policy making. The minister further said the administration has changed the council term from three to five years in order to better deliver the pledges of the administration and the councils. He called all stakeholders to be more responsible in their roles.
The home minister also called on the people to get together once the election is over in the efforts of the councils to develop the islands, atolls and cities. He further urged the people to consider development of the constituencies and the islands before political ideologies.
The home minister concluded his address by calling all candidates to consider different opinions and seek contribution from all in developing the islands once they get elected.