Bill to postpone the local council elections dubbed as the “Sunset Bill” has been ratified by President Ibrahim Soloh this Sunday.
Drafted by the Attorney General’s Office, the bill was submitted to the Parliament floor on behalf of the government by MP of Thulhaadhoo constituency Hisaan Hussain was passed by the the Parliament on April 29.
The bill states that the elections will be postponed, and will be only held once the government deems that the country is safe and there is no reason for a public health emergency. The postponement of the elections creates a legal vacuum as the term of the incumbent councilors comes to an end on June 3. It also when enacted revokes the suspension of civil servants running for the elections, restoring them to their former positions.
Voter registration and re-registration processes have to be conducted once again by The Elections Commission.