Local rights advocacy groups have raised concerns over the upcoming referendum to determine the jurisdictional composition of Addu City Council, citing the rushed nature of the vote, and the exclusion of residents of some of the districts of the Addu in making a decision that has far-reaching consequences for the whole of the second-most populous Maldivian city.
Residents of Hulhudhoo, Meedhoo and Feydhoo districts of Addu are set to vote in a public referendum on October 25 to decide if they want a separate council for their islands.
The referendum, announced on October 6, and amended on October 12, will be the first vote held under the Public Referendum Act enacted in September.
In a joint statement on Friday, Transparency Maldives (TM), Project ThimaaVeshi (PTV), Maldives Local Councils’ Association (MLCA), and Zero Waste Maldives raised concerns about the fairness, transparency and inclusive participation of the upcoming referendum.
The groups stressed that the referendum carries significant implications for the governance and administrative structure of Addu, as any change to the composition of the current council would impact local representation, resource allocation, fiscal arrangements and delivery of essential services to the residents of the city, and will also have a direct bearing on the broader framework of decentralization and local governance in the Maldives.
“Given its importance, the process must be transparent, inclusive, fair, allowing sufficient time for public awareness and participation through broad consultations, accessible information, and robust debate to ensure voters make free, well-informed decisions,” reads the statement.
One of the key concerns raised by the groups is the rushed process of the referendum.
“The period between the announcement of the referendum and the voting date of merely 19 days does not provide sufficient time for citizens to be adequately informed about the rationale for the referendum, the proposed changes, and the potential long-term consequences,” reads the statement.
The streets of Feydhoo, Addu city. (Sun Photo/Fayaz Moosa)
The groups also reiterated their concern regarding the inadequate timeframes stipulated under the Public Referendum Act, particularly the broad discretion granted to shorten the interval between the announcement and the vote for referendums called by the President within a specific jurisdiction.
Another key concern raised by the groups is the exclusion of voters from other districts of Addu, despite the fact that the results of the referendum will have far reaching implications on the governance and administration of the whole of Addu.
“…. the decision and the lack of rationale to exclude residents from the constituencies of Hithadhoo, Maradhoo and Maradhoo Feydhoo raises serious questions on the lack of fairness, inclusion and a meaningful consultative process with affected communities,” reads the statement.
The groups also expressed concern that vote boxes are being kept only in Addu and in the capital Male’, something that they warned further creates exclusion as the voting process becomes inaccessible to a large portion of eligible voters who reside in other atolls, resorts and foreign countries.
“The right to vote and meaningfully participate in decisions affecting the daily lives are fundamental principles of democracy,” reads the statement.
The groups called on authorities to uphold the fundamental principles of democracy allowing citizens with adequate time, accessible information, and equal opportunity for meaningful participation.
“Anything less severely undermines the legitimacy of this referendum,” warned the groups.
The upcoming referendum has also raised concerns from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which warned that such a vote mustn’t be held without properly educating people on the implications of its results.
Amid the controversy surrounding the referendum, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said his administration is taking a neutral stand, and will implement whatever the people decide.