LGA: Council land cannot be used by parties

The Local Government Authority (LGA) has instructed councils not to allow political activities on council premises, stating that promoting political party ideologies on land registered under councils is against the law.

The directive comes after the MDP congress was held inside the Male' City Council hall due to the lack of an available venue. The congress, which began last Thursday, concluded early Saturday evening.

LGA CEO Mohamed Nimal sent a letter to city mayors and island council presidents on the opening day of the MDP congress, stating that reviving or promoting political party ideologies on council office land, or any land registered under councils, contradicts the principles of the Decentralization Act.

Nimal wrote that all council assets and resources must be used solely to fulfill the responsibilities assigned to councils. “We also believe that the council office is an important institution where people come to seek services, and conducting political activities in such places will create unrest in the hearts of the people,” he said.

He further noted that councils risk losing public trust if they act in ways that promote political ideology while delivering services. The letter instructed councils not to use their properties or resources to promote any political party or benefit specific groups, and not to conduct political activities on council-owned land.

The opposition MDP had requested a venue for its congress, but government agencies did not provide one. In contrast, the ruling PNC was given the Male' City Youth Centre and three schools in the area for its congress, a move MDP publicly criticised.