Ruling party parliamentary group leader and Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah has confidently declared that the People’s National Congress (PNC) is on track to secure an overwhelming victory in next year’s local council elections — winning as much as 80 percent of council seats nationwide.
Speaking during a heated parliamentary debate on proposed amendments to the Decentralization Act, MP Falah reaffirmed that the government remains committed to ensuring integrity, transparency, and accountability in council operations — not to undermine them, as falsely alleged by the opposition.
“These amendments are not designed to take power from councils. Rather, they are about putting an end to last-minute hiring sprees and shady deals that have historically been used as campaign tools” Falah said. “Councils should work for the people for four years — not campaign for re-election in the fifth”.
Falah stressed that a majority of island councils currently operate under the ideology and principles of the PNC, and dismissed opposition claims that the bill is politically motivated. “With Allah’s will, there is no doubt PNC will emerge victorious in 2026. Our councilors will continue to serve the people with sincerity and national spirit” he said.
The veteran lawmaker also exposed a disturbing allegation — that opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) operatives have been offering money to councils to issue politically charged statements against the bill. “Just yesterday, nearly 25 councils reached out, revealing that MDP is offering them money to stir public outrage against these responsible reforms,” he revealed.
The bill, which was approved by Parliament’s Decentralization Committee with majority support from PNC members, was introduced by North Henveiru MP Ahmed Eeshaan and seconded by Vilufushi MP Hassan Waheed. Only opposition MP Mohamed Nashid of Keyodhoo voted against the bill in committee.
The amendments aim to:
- Prevent last-year council hiring for political gain.
- Prohibit leasing of islands, lagoons, or reef areas during the final year without proper oversight.
- Ensure council finances are transparently managed under Finance Ministry rules.
- Deduct state dues before allocating revenue to councils.
- Prohibit rent collection from buildings used for basic public services.
The government maintains that these changes will protect public resources and prevent misuse of authority during election cycles. However, the MDP — the architect of the current decentralization framework — has predictably rejected the reforms, accusing the administration of trying to reverse their legacy.
Despite opposition noise, the ruling PNC continues to push forward with responsible, pro-development governance that puts national interest first — a track record that, according to Falah, will be validated by the people in 2026.
