Zariyand: Action must be taken if city council quorum is lost with intent to obstruct

Legal expert and former Deputy Attorney General Ismail Zariyand has called for action over the loss of quorum in Wednesday’s Male' City Council session, describing it as illegal if done with the intent to obstruct proceedings.

In a post on X, Zariyand said councilors are not permitted to skip meetings with the aim of breaking quorum, unless they are fulfilling other legal responsibilities assigned under the law.

“The mayor has the legal authority to resolve such issues and must disclose the facts clearly to the public,” Zariyand wrote.

ސިޓީ ކައުންސިލްގެ ޖަލްސާތައް ބޭއްވުމާއި، ކައުންސިލް ހިނގަމުންދަނީ ޤާނޫނުތަކާއި ގަވާއިދުތަކާ އެއްގޮތަށް ކަންކަށަވަރުކުރުމާއި، ކައުންސިލްގެ ޒިންމާތަކާ ގުޅިގެން ރައްޔިތުންނަށާއި، މަސްޢޫލު އިދާރާތަކަށް ޖަވާބުދާރީ ވުމަކީ؛ ސިޓީކައުންސިލުގެ މޭޔަރުގެ ޒިންމާއެއްކަން ޤާނޫނު ނަމްބަރު 2010/7… https://t.co/oMxdd5rpTs

— Ismail Zariyand (@zariyand) December 24, 2025

He emphasized that the mayor is legally responsible for convening council meetings, ensuring lawful operations, and being accountable to both residents and oversight bodies. He added that every council decision must be made in the name of its citizens, and councilors are obligated to attend meetings and work toward council objectives.

Zariyand also highlighted the role of the Local Government Authority (LGA), which is tasked with ensuring councils operate in line with the constitution and laws. The LGA, he said, has the power to take action against councilors or mayors who abuse their authority or violate ethical codes.

Quorum collapse stalls land issue for third time

The land lease issue, which has been on the agenda for the past two council sessions, was again blocked on Wednesday due to lack of quorum. The session began with 10 members present, the minimum required, but lost quorum after two PNC councilors exited the meeting.

Henveiru West Councilor Fathimath Shaufa Saleem (online) and Galolhu Central Councilor Mariyam Reehan Nazim (in person) left the session just as the council was set to discuss agreements not listed in the Land Register.

The meeting was adjourned twice in an attempt to restore quorum, but ultimately ended without progress.

The PNC holds a majority in the council, with 14 of 18 seats, while the MDP holds three and one seat is independent.

Land lease scrutiny intensifies

According to the council’s November register, 157 plots of land have been leased in Male' and Villimale', alongside 363 market cells and 424 parishes. Allegations of irregular land allocation have surfaced, prompting a motion to cancel contracts issued during the mayoralty of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

The motion was proposed by Galolhu North Councilor Mohamed Saif Fathih and Galolhu West Councilor Mariyam Nazima Mohamed Faiz.