Landmark changes ratified to decentralisation law
One-third of council seats reserved for women.
16 Dec 2019, 9:00 AM
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Sunday ratified landmark changes brought to the decentralisation law in line with signature campaign pledges for fiscal devolution and women’s empowerment.
The signing ceremony took place at the opening of a conference held at the Crossroads resort near Malé with more than 200 councillors.
The law was revised to devolve powers for local councils to provide utility services, maintain roads, repair harbours, carry out infrastructure projects under MVR5 million (US$324,250) and collect 100 percent of earnings from land rentals in their jurisdiction as well as a portion of revenue from leasing islands and lagoons.
The country’s first-ever gender quota was also introduced by reserving one-third of seats on city, atoll and island councils for female candidates.
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