By-elections, impeachment plans and police brutality

News in brief from Friday, February 7th and Saturday, February 8th.

New councillors take oath of office

Judges and magistrates administered oaths of office to 575 island councillors, 66 atoll councillors and 23 city councillors. The new councils also elected presidents and vice presidents at inaugural meetings after the swearing-in ceremonies.

Parliament considers five-year terms for local councils

MP Ahmed Amir of the government-aligned Maldives Development Alliance proposed amending the constitution to increase the term of local councils from three to five years.

Maldivians welcome holy month of Ramadan

After communal feasts and traditionally extensive preparations, Maldivians joined Muslims around the world today to begin observing rituals of the holy month of Ramadan.

Parliament approves new Elections Commission member, ambassador to Pakistan

Funds allocated for councils in next year’s budget lower than 2014, says LGA

Maldives strategically unprepared for SEZs, argues former Finance Minister Inaz

Bill proposed to transfer land from local councils to central government

MDP condemns restriction of powers of local councils

Parliamentary debate begins on special economic zones bill

Government plotting to “destroy decentralization,” says Malé Deputy Mayor

Home Ministry to share DNR database with local councils

MDP will empower local councils: Nasheed

Supreme Court election guidelines will constrain local council polls: EC

Government plans to launch new scheme to empower local councils

Obstructing sermons “a great war to destroy religion”: Adhaalath

LGA to revise US$64 million-a-term local governance system

MDP “terrorists”, says President Waheed: “We will not step back in giving them their rightful punishment”

Himandhoo, Fuvahmulah by-elections scheduled for November 19

Opposition’s vote to increase city councillors economic sabotage, claims government