Council by-elections cancelled after president ratifies changes to decentralisation law
The fifth amendment to the Decentralisation Act ratified by President Abdulla Yameen on Wednesday states that by-elections must not be held if an island, atoll, or city councillor resigns one year after the local council elections.
30 Jul 2015, 9:00 AM
Three island council by-elections scheduled for Saturday have been cancelled after President Abdulla Yameen ratified changes to the decentralisation law yesterday.
The fifth amendment to the Decentralisation Act states that by-elections must not be held if an island, atoll, or city councillor resigns one year after the local council elections.
However, by-elections must still be held for vacant seats if a council does not have a quorum to hold meetings or if a councillor resigns within the first year.
Local councils are elected for a three-year term. The resignation of councillors have triggered several by-elections since the local government system was introduced in February 2011.
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